Stargazing

"It's now dark enough to see the stars. Come along, Mufasa." Ahadi's eyes glittered as he led his son onto the endless field.

Mufasa's heart gave a leap. His favorite evening pastime was gazing at the stars while Ahadi told stories of the Great Kings who had lived in previous generations.

"I'll send Taka over, if he's willing," said Uru as Ahadi and Mufasa settled on their backs in the grass that still held the sun's warmth.

Her words filled Mufasa with a sinking sensation. He wanted this time to be just between him and his father.

Why are you even concerned? a part of his mind chided.

Mufasa took a deep breath. That was true. Why should he worry? Taka never joined them in stargazing, not since they were cubs, anyway. He stared heavenward, remembering something Taka had said when they were younger, the last time he had ever stargazed with them. "It's only the kings who become the stars. The rest of us just turn into grass." Although he had mumbled this, his tone had been soaked with bitterness. Ahadi hadn't heard and Mufasa couldn't think of anything to say to that.

A disturbing feeling tingled in his chest but it quickly dissipated. He focused on the stars as they gradually multiplied against a sky that deepened from dark indigo to black. A slim crescent moon hovered low on the horizon but it still wasn't bright enough to overpower the starlight. Mufasa sighed, enjoying the breeze that swept through the grass, carrying the blending scents of countless creatures. Unseen crickets serenaded them with soothing chirps.

"Those stars are all the Great Kings of the past," Ahadi said, as if for the first time.

Mufasa breathed deeply as he listened. He had heard the stories countless times before but never grew tired of them. "And you and I will be up there too, someday, won't we Dad?" He caught Taka's familiar scent and glanced around. His little brother was watching them from several feet away, his vivid green eyes glowing with an ominous incandescence against the darkness. Mufasa stiffened. Taka will ruin this. He ruins everything. He struggled to push that selfish thought aside.

"That's right, son." If Ahadi noticed Taka, he didn't let on. "Then it will be our turn to watch over a new king."

Mufasa sighed with relief as Taka turned and fled.