Here's the next chapter. I own nothing, but Kimraia and the plot twists though the overall plot belongs to Disney. Now I know nothing about lions and their hunting, so if I get some facts wrong please forgive me. I worked really hard on this chapter as it's pro. one of the longest chapters that I've ever written for one of stories. I hope you enjoy it
Last time:.
Terror, curiosity, and confusion shine through every pair of eyes. Some cubs back away and hid under their mothers' legs while some bounced forward in total innocence until their mothers snapped at them. For a moment, I dare a glance over to my right and catch Mufasa's firm, but softer gaze with a tiny smile on his face.
Shifting his eyes away, he clears his throat before he begins. "Loyal subjects and friends, please listen. I have called this meeting to welcome a new member into our pride," he points his paw at me, "bi Kimaria."
Shocked silence falls across the small circle as Mufasa's words hover in the air. All eyes are locked onto me as low growls start to vibrate around the group. I feel my body stiffen while my eyes drop onto the ground. My heart sinks into the stomach as the great lions' words echo in my ears. New member of the pride, no it isn't possible. What is a pride? It makes no sense and I hold my breath as more the number of growls increase. Did the growls mean anything; an unspoken language that I can't understand? But how was I able to understand Mufasa, his mate, and the bird? Still nothing makes sense to me, except that my feet are frozen to the ground. Gradually, the lionesses began to shout out protests toward Mufasa. For a moment, I dare to glance up and catch a few looks from the other lionesses. Most of them glare at me; their lips curled back into a sneer. Others only hesitant and curious stares follow my every move. Again, I hold my breath and glance over at Sarabi, but she only smiles at me. I gulp as one of the lionesses step forward.
"Mufasa, you can't be serious! How can you bring such danger here? You who has always told us the dangers of her kind and yet you bring that…murderous creature"
"Silence, Zira. This girl Kimaria is barely older then a human cub with no weapons to harm," Sarabi says, her eyes narrowing as she stares at the other lioness, "Would you really send a cub out alone without a pride to protect them?"
"Lionesses are the ones that do the hunting, my queen. Surely this creature can turn on us in a moment," another lioness says, slowly bowing her head to Sarabi.
Sarabi glances over at me and back at her mate. "Taariq, please, she has no one left"
"It must be some trick of her kind!" Zira cries.
My breath catches in my throat as her words echo in my ears. No it can't be true. How can she say such a thing when she knows nothing about me? Tears rim my eyes, but I suck them back down before my body collapses onto the ground. All the lionesses back away, but I barely notice them. I take deep breath but my throat is so dry, it hurts to breath. Yet, my lips form words and I hear my voice as though I'm listening as an outsider too.
"Pl…please…I have nowhere else to turn. My familia and kijiji were taken from me and I…I'm alone." Slowly, I raise my head and look around the group, but still no friendly eyes meet me. "I…I promise…to help with whatever I can in the pride."
Again, silence falls over the semi-circle as my words seem to sink in. I glance up at the sound of movement as a young cub starts to crawl toward me. Her fur is a mix light golden and tan color with deep blue eyes. No one moves as the little animal moves toward me. Those large eyes stare at me with pure innocence full of curiosity.
"Chipo, get away from her," another male voice calls out from behind me.
Spinning around, I see a dark lion slinking toward the group. His raven mane is shaggy and his body is thinner then Mufasa, but his fierce, enchanting green seem to bear into me as the lion comes to join the circle. A long curved scar runs down his left eye, but it seems to give him even more power. My body stiffens, but his tense gaze holds mine for a moment as he studies me. Finally he turns away and looks over to the cub. With a simple nod, the cub moves away from me and back to his mother. Zazu flies over and settles down before the other male loin.
"So nice of you to show up, Scar. Though you are late," Zazu says, crossing his wings over his chest.
The other male lion, Scar, ignores the bird and looks over at Mufasa and Sarabi. His eyes narrow as he glances back over at me. Clearing his throat, he asks, "What is this creature doing here? A special meal perhaps."
"She is now a member of your pride, Scar," Mufasa says firmly.
Scar glances between me and Mufasa; his eyes wide for a brief moment and then close as he bows his head slightly. "Well done, Mufasa. You have ruined the Pride lands all on your own, congratulations, Brother."
"Enough, there will be no more talk of that. This girl is part of the pride now and I expect you to treat her as one," Mufasa says as his eyes roam around the circle of lionesses.
No one speaks as the king and his mate turn and walk through the group. Scar glances over at me and shakes his head before Zira nuzzles him. After a moment, they turn and walk away while the other lionesses still watch me. My lips press together as I lower my eyes back onto the ground. What does it mean to be a member of the pride? How can Mufasa expect the lionesses to accept me? I shake my head and pause as I feel the intense stares again. Goosebumps run down my arms as my body stiffens. Without Mufasa around would the lionesses still follow his order? Again, I shiver as a young cub, Chipo, comes toward me again. Yet his mother picks him up in her mouth; her eyes narrowing with suspicion before she turns and walks away. Slowly, I look around the small group and still no one says anything, but they start to drift away from me. Low voices float among the small groups as the lionesses walk off together, mentioning something about hunting. I'm left alone. Alone…am I really alone or could someone find me? Out here in the savanna were would anyone start looking for me? A chilly wind blows against my face as I look out toward the horizon with the every last rays of sunlight dance across the planes. My eyes rise up toward the sky, but I only hear the silence around me. For a long time, I just sit there listening to the wind.
"Kimaria, are you ready to eat?" Mufasa calls off from the right.
I turn around and bit my bottom lip as the lion begins to walk toward me. Automatically, I take a few steps back and dare a glance over my shoulder. Could I make a run for it? Was that his plan, make me run and hunt me down like prey? Quickly, I look back at him, but he makes no move toward me.
His dark eyes stare back at me with confusion before he repeats his question. "Are you ready for dinner, Kimaria?"
For a moment, I taste blood against my teeth as I release my bottom lip. More goosebumps run up and down my arms as the lion watches me intensely. Without another word, he turns and walks back up the cliff and reluctantly I follow him. In the cave, Sarabi, Zira, Scar, and two other lionesses sit before two antelopes' carcasses. A low growl erupts from my stomach as I stare at the bodies. It seems like forever since I've eaten anything. Mufasa gestures for me to join the circle as he walks over to his mate. Both Scar and Zira glare at me as I join them, but one of the other lionesses gives a timid smile.
I return the gesture and ask, "When did you get this food?"
"Only an hour ago, some antelopes were grazing nearby. We only go after the weak ones to put them out their misery and thus hunting is a little quicker," the kinder lioness explains.
I nod as Mufasa clears his throat before speaking. His words fall on deaf ears as I stare at the food, my hunger growing with each passing moment. When Mufasa finished all the others start to eat their dinner. Sharp teeth rip and tear at the meat as their claws pin down the animal as though holding it in place. The dead creatures lie still, but blood drips onto the cave floor. Acid rises up in my throat as my heart sinks into my empty stomach. None of the lions pay any attention as I run out of the cave and stumble down the stone steps back onto the savanna. Collapsing onto the ground, I cough and my hand lies over my stomach; its contents spill onto the ground. My throat burns as I try to take a few deeps breaths. The scent of blood and vomit mix together as I wipe my mouth, sitting back on my knees. Is that how all animals eat their meals? I shake my head, but still my stomach is killing me.
All my hunger has vanished as I kneel down on the savanna while the lions continue their dinner. Trying to push myself up, my eyes scan the dark lands from beneath the shadow of the lion's home. Slowly, I get up and begin to walk out into the open planes on unsteady legs. Low moonlight casts an eerie glow across the silent land. I look from left to right and head off to the left. After a few minutes, I sniff the air and sigh as the scent of water fills my nose. A little while longer, my body falls down along the banks of a stream. I take a few deep breaths as my hand runs through my hair as I lean over and stare into the water. My reflection is barely recognizable; a few cuts and burns run down my arms. My face seems tired and worn out from the events from the past two days. How could so much have changed is such a sort amount of time? The flapping of wings broke into my thoughts as I spin around, fear pulsing through my body. Through the darkness, I see the bird settling on the ground a few inches away from me.
"Girl, what are you doing out here?" Zazu asks.
I glance over at him and sigh. "I just didn't feel well. Why do you care?"
He scoffs and shakes his head. "I don't, but as the king's majordomo it is my job to know and…" he flies up again and looks me right in the eye, "His majesty ordered me too. You're too young to be alone."
I roll my eyes and sigh.
After a moment, Zau says, "Come on then, lets go back."
He turns to go, but I say, "Can't we stay a little longer? I still don't feel well."
"Well come back to Pride Rock and you should be fine," Zazu says, turning back toward me.
My eyebrows furrow in confusion. "Pride Rock?"
Zazu rolls his eyes and settles back on the ground, flustered. "Pride Rock the home of their majesties, King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi."
Once more, I glance over my shoulder to where I had come from. From the moonlight, I see the outline of a large, horizontal rock with a long rock ledge sticking out to the northwest. Darkness covers the open planes stretching out toward the unseen horizon. I shake my head as all sense of direction leaves my mind. How far was I from my village…my family? Tears rim my eyes, but I wipe them away as Zazu flies back up. His wings beat the air in a steady rhythm as he watches me. Without another word, he turns and starts to fly back toward Pride rock. Slowly, my feet began to follow him back with the stars as my guide. By the time, I get back the antelope caresses were eaten to the bone, but my stomach still feels hollow.
None of the lions say anything as I renter the cave and I count the same number of eyes of lionesses from earlier. Do all the lionesses sleep together like a family? I shake my head and press myself up against a wall and slid further into the cavern. The further I go the darker it gets and my hands slides along the cold stone until my foot brushes up against something soft. I sink down onto my knees and hold my mother's necklace close to my chest. For a moment, I glance over my shoulder, but no one looks over at me. I sigh in relief and push my hair over my shoulder and lie down on the cold ground. Drifting off to sleep, I hear a soft good night before sleep claims me.
Sunlight pours in from the large cave entrance as I blink. Rubbing my eyes, I sit up and look around the empty cave. Fear pulses through my body as I jump up and run outside. A gentle breeze cools my face as my eyes squint against the brightness. Where had they all gone? Had yesterday just been a dream? More questions race through my mind, but I shake my head, none of them matter except finding one of the lionesses. I shake my head and wince as something burns against my palm, the necklace. I sigh and stare down at the pendant for a moment as a tear rolls down my cheek.
"Kimaria, are you all right?" Sarabi asks.
I jump and turn around with my hand over my heart. Sarabi smiles apologetically and walks over to me. Her paws barely make a sound against the rock and my body stiffens. Sarabi pauses and sighs heavily.
Wringing my hands together, I ask, "Is there something you wanted?"
Again, Sarabi smiles and nods. "Yes, Kim I-"
"Please…please, don't call me that," I say, a lump forming in my throat.
"It's your name."
"I know…" I sigh and take a deep breath, "Just please not the short version of it, please use the full name."
Sarabi stares at me for a moment before nodding. "Very well, Kimaria, I was wondering if you wanted to go on the hunt today?"
"The hunt?"
"Yes, the lionesses do the hunting around here and I…" she places her right paw gingerly on her large stomach, "I cannot go without putting myself and my cub at risk. Will you go in my place?"
Her words hang in the air around us for a few moments. Instantly, my eyes fall onto the sharp teeth and heavy paws which pin their prey down. Yet, how can I refuse her…a queen lion and the one who took me in. Biting my lip, I nod. Sarabi smiles and turns away from me heading back into the cave. I pause at the pile of cloths, but she just keeps walking. I sigh, tuck my necklace back into the cloths pile, and continue to follow Sarabi. After a few minutes, we come out into a smaller cavern where all the other lionesses are waiting for us. Some of them bow their heads to their queen, but all their eyes are on me. I gulp and try to smile.
Clearing her throat, Sarabi says, "All right let's split into the hunting groups and Kimaria will be taking my place with one of you."
"Her? Sarabi please be serious the girl cannot hunt," Zira says from my right.
Sarabi sighs and looks at the other lioness. "We do not know that, Zira and as a member of the pride Kimaria will need to learn how to hunt with us."
"But"
"No, she will go with one of the groups and that's final. Now," Sarabi takes a deep breath and looks at the others, "Please assemble yourselves into three groups."
It takes about five minutes for the lionesses to separate into the three groups with four in two of them and one group of three. Without knowing it, I release a breath I have been holding as I see that Zira and her group have already gone. After a moment, the other groups begin to leave too. Beside me, Sarabi nudges me gently. I glance over to her, sigh and follow the groups outside. Heat beats down on me as I step out from the shadow of the cave; my eye still adjusting to the bright light. I blink twice and head out to meet the group. Two of the lionesses barely knowledge my presence and start to walk toward the mountains. I start to follow and the last lioness comes up as our feet fall into rhythm with each other. For a moment, her fur brushes against my hand and pull away, uncertainty filling my eyes as I pause. The lioness pauses too and turns around to face me. Dim blue eyes stare back at me, similar to Sarabi's, and a timid smile forms on her face.
"Is something wrong, motto wa kike?" she asks.
I shake my head; my body stiffening as her eyes scans my body. After a moment, she turns around and begins to follow the others. When I don't follow her, she pauses again and glances over her shoulder.
"Mtoto, please we must catch up to the others for the hunt," she says.
Biting my lip, I nod and begin to follow her. Gradually, her pace slows until she's walking next to me. My fingers curl into fists as I feel her closeness, but the fragile friendliness that can break with a simple wrong gesture. I feel my lips together as I stare out into the open planes.
"So, this is your first hunt, Kimaria? And forgive me, my name is Sarafina," the lioness says.
"Yes it's my first hunt. In my family…urh pride the males do the hunting" I say carefully.
Sarafina glances over at me. "The men hunt? What do the majikes do?"
"We…we take care of the cubs, gather water, just keep house," I say. "How do the lionesses hunt?"
Sarafina opens her mouth, but pauses again. Crouching down in the tall grass, she bats me with her paw to follow her example. I follow her and she starts to step forward, her paws barely making contact with the ground. For a moment, I glance up and spot a herd of water buffo grazing in the early morning. Slowly, I sink back down and try to find among the blades of grass. Heat rushes into my cheeks as I try to imagine how I look. The buffo must see me and are laughing, but none of them look away from their meal. Shaking my head, I take a tiny step forward and glance around. The other two lionesses are no where insight. Questions race through my head, yet Sarafina pays no attention me. I take another small step and aloud crunch is heard ebentah my foot. All the buffo look up in alarm, but calm down and return to grazing. After a moment, all three lionesses jump out and attack the herd. Yells and cries echo across the grounds as the lionesses pounce on the innocent animals. Like the silent arrows from the monsters that burned my family, the lionesses pounce on the herd. Sharp teeth and claws aim to kill the innocent animals. My throat burns as I collapse onto the ground. Buffos cry out and try to run away, but the lionesses are too fast for them.
"Stop, please!" I say, pushing myself up.
No one looks at me, but my legs carry me forward to a wounded buffo. A young strong buffo lies on his side, a deep cut in his side. His breathing is shallow as I approach him, but he panics; his feet flying in the air. I pause and try to calm him, but the growls and shouts drown out my voice. Through the chaos, I run around the back and walk over toward him. Large brown eyes grow wide as he catches me and his cries grow louder.
Putting my finger to my lips, I say, "Shh, please don't be afraid."
Yet my words don't calm him. His legs bat the air, but he's too weak to get up. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sarafina and the other two trying to take down some more of the herd without paying any attention me. Again, I try to calm, the wild beast as I kneel down a safe distance away.
"What's your name?" I ask.
"Baako," he pants as his large eyes look toward me.
"Okay, please can you stay still for me, please," I say, leaning in closer. "I'm not gonna hurt you please. I want to help."
After a second, he nods and tries to settle down. Slowly, I walk over to him; my senses all on high alert. The chaos that surrounds us doesn't seem to matter as the young buffo watches me. His large eyes shine with pain and a plea to be spared. I bite my lip and move closer to examine the wound. I shiver as I lean in closer. Did Sarafina and the others leave him here to die while they tried to kill more? Baako's cries drag me out of my thoughts as I turn my attention back to him. The long cut runs down from his shoulder and across his stomach. Already, his dark fur is stained with blood. For a moment, I close my eyes and breathe, but still my stomach feels empty. Gingerly, I rest my hand against his shivering form.
"It's okay, Baako. I'll-"
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" one of the lionesses ask as she bounds up toward me.
"He's hurt," I say.
The lioness stares at me for a moment before digging her teeth into his neck. Bakko opens his mouth to scream, but I hear the snap of his neck. His body falls to the ground, lifeless, with his eyes staring at me. No life fills his eyes, but I sense the terror and pain as his eyes stare back at me; betrayed by the one who said that they would help. I shiver and glare at the other lionesses. Blood drips from her chin as she pulls back from the buffo. I shake my head and try to stand up; my voice hardening as I stare down at the young buffo.
"Why, why did you do that? He did nothing to you," I say.
Again, the lioness stares at me. "He's our meal, not our friend and we don't help them. You almost cost us a meal."
"I only-"
I collapse onto the ground; my heart pounding against my chest as I stare back at the lioness. My cheek throbs as my fingers gingerly run across it. Everything spins around me as I shake my head. None of this makes sense. Was it just able to kill innocent creatures when they were in pain? As though reading my thoughts, the lioness leans in closer; her teeth flash white as they lash out at me. Her eyes harden the longer she stares at me. "Is it right for your kind to kill our way of life or us? Don't talk of something you know nothing about, motto!"
"Jade, that is enough, let her go!" Sarafina says, walking up toward us.
The lioness, Jade, glares at me before walking off. My body seems frozen to the ground as I watch her go. Gingerly, Sarafina nudges me, but I shift away from her. For a moment, I glance back at Bakko and shake my head. I raise my eyes toward the sky and sigh. Once more, Sarafina nudges me, staring at me. Without another word, she turns and with the help of the other lioness starts to drag the caresses away. I swallow, but my stomach feels empty as I tear my eyes away from the lifeless bodies. How was gonna live if I can't even eat? What am I gonna do…oh god I need mother. A few tears roll down my face as I force my feet to follow Sarafina and the others.
The intense heat beats down on us as we walk back toward Pride Rock, but I lag behind the others. Sarafina says nothing to me and I sigh. Have I lost the only friendly face in the Pride besides the king and queen? Other questions run through my mind as we walk through the grasslands. For a moment, I pause and listen to the sway of blades in a musical sound while a small breeze blows against my face. My body slams into the ground; dirt creeping under my fingernails as I fight to see through my hair. Pain shots me as I try to get away, but claws dig into my ankle drawing blood. I scream, but my mouth fills with dirt and hair. Off in the distance, I hear Sarafina calling out something, but her words are unclear. I feel the claws recoil from my skin and I sigh in relief. Shaking my head, I lay in still in the grass as Sarafina and the other lionesses come over to me.
"Rudo, what are you doing?" Sarafina asks, her teeth clenched as she steps in between me and the other animal.
"That creature was going to attack you, that little shetani," a male voice, Rudo, says.
"How did you know?"
"What do her kind do, Sarafina? They hunt us and our food," Rudo says.
I sigh and lean back and stare at the clear blue sky. My ankle kills me, but I feel a tender tonnage licking at the wound. I wince as the salvia burns against the open cut but no one seems to notice. Again, I hear voices, but their words don't register. The licking stops and I see the other lioness, Taariq, I remember now stands beside me. Lowering herself, she tries to crawl underneath me. It takes me a moment to understand, but I sit up and pull myself onto her back. Taariq growls as I pull on her fur and I let go at once.
"No, it's fine. Now just hold on," Taariq explains to me.
I nod, tightening my grip on her fur ever so slightly and lean down low against her neck. With a simple nod to Sarafina, we turn and start to back to Pride Rock. I squeeze my eyes as her pace quickens. It seems to be a blink of an eye before I feel the shade of the lion's home. Jumping up the rock steps, Taariq calls out for Sarabi. Gradually, I the queen of the lions begin to walk toward us. Her eyes seem to widen when she spots me, but her pace remains the same.
"What happened?" she asks quickly.
"Rudo, thought she was attacking the group and pounced on her," Taariq explains as she lowers herself onto the floor. Sarabi nods and gives her instructions, but their words and faces seem to slur together as I slip into darkness.
I feel a hand on my forehead even before my eyes inch open. Large, wide brown eyes stare back at me, the creatures' face covered in blue far, except for a white hair down from his mouth. I try to sit up, but the animal pushes me back down. Chuckling he says, "Now don't try so hard. We wouldn't want you to get hurt again."
I roll my eyes and try to sit up anyway. A soft moan escapes my lips as I try to move my right leg.
"Now, now don't worry, Mtoto, old Rafiki will you like last time," the shaman says.
I nod, but my eyes wonder around the cave. Where was everyone else? It doesn't make any sense, but Rafiki pays no attention the empty space. I shiver and look around. Outside, I hear talking; voices hushed in whispers/ I strain to hear more, but I can only tell it is male and female. After a moment, Rafiki cracks open a large gourd and dips his fingers into it. Gingerly, he dabs a dark red clay texture on both my ankle and forehead. I open my mouth, but the baboon shakes his head. Bouncing back, he calls out for Sarabi and Mufasa to come in. I bite my bottom lip and feel my body shake as both lions enter the cave. I start to apologize, but Sarabi shakes her head and moves over to me. She nuzzles my neck. I hear her purring and my heart clenches; it reminds me of mother humming a lullaby. Pulling away, she smiles as she looks back at Mufasa. The great king nods and smiles at me too. I gulp and begin to apologize again.
"It's okay, it's all right, Kimaria. It was not your fault, Sarafina told us what happened," Sarabi says softly.
"I didn't mean to mess-"
"You did no such thing," Mufasa says. "A lioness is not only known for her skills as a huntress, but compassion and kindness too which according to Sarafina you displayed that beyond a doubt today. That male lion, Rudo, is only a teenager and thought he saw something he didn't. I am sorry he attacked you, Mtoto."
I nod slowly and look at Rafiki. "Thank you for medicine"
"Medicine?" Rafiki asks.
"Urh…healing I mean," I say, blushing.
Rafiki smiles and nods. "Of course binti mfalme."
That one word hovers in the air around me. No he must be mistaken. It can't be true, but why would he call me that. Slowly, I look over at Sarabi and Mufasa who smile at me.
Clearing his throat, Mufasa says, "Kimaria, I want to adopt you as my daughter. Would you consider it?"
All the words seem to have left my mind as I stare at the two lions. Both proud and strong animals who had taken me in when I needed a family. A family…my throat goes dry as the word rolls over in my mind. I have already lost one, can I have another so soon. For a moment, I look down at my lap and then back up at Sarabi and Mufasa.
Taking a deep breath, I say, "Yes."
Sarabi nuzzles me and whispers softly. "My daughter."
With those two words, I sigh. For now, I have a home.
Define: Bi = Ms. Mtotot = child Shetani = Devil or demon
Binti mfalme = princess Majike = female Mtoto wa kiki = girl
Well I hope you enjoyed it. I know the adoption might be a little odd, but I wanted it to be done and this was the best way I could do. Please review and I know we're not into the movie yet, but I promise the movie will becoming soon in the next chapter, I promise. Please review with both praise and concrustive critasim as to how I can improve. Thanks so much.
