Hello again! I' back with another fun chapter. I got great reviews from the last one so I decided to post this super quick for your enjoyment. I have a feeling you'll like this one even better than the last. Enjoy!
Jelani had grown into a wonderful and playful cub. He was growing more curious as the days passed. Jelani loved going on small adventures with the other lion cubs while staying within the Pridelands. The small cub showed great promise as the future ruler of these beautiful and prosperous lands.
Jelani was the first up that morning. He was currently playing with Tanai, one of the other male cubs of the Pride. Oddly there hadn't been any females born in the last few months. The cubs pounced on each other and nipped at the other. Behind Pride Rock the lionesses basked in the beaming sun. Just as he ran by Kiara grabbed Jelani by the scruff of his neck and pulled him into her arms.
"Time for your bath sweetheart." She said with a smile, purring.
Jelani nuzzled his mother. "Mom…can't I have my bath later?" he groaned.
Kiara smiled. "As soon as I'm done you can go back and play dear."
The little cub relaxed in his mother's arms as she licked his fur. Tanai's mother was also giving her son a bath.
The little cub giggled. "That tickles mom." Tanai laughed, squirming in his mother's grasp.
Asali finished up then nuzzled her son, purring. Tanai returned it as he nuzzled his mother. Jelani nuzzled Kiara before bounding down Pride Rock with Tanai. Asali giggled.
"Have you chosen a future queen for our future King yet?" she questioned.
Kiara lay her head on her paws as she continued to relax in the sun. She lay on a rock above Asali. The thought arose on her mind many occasions but she had never really thought about it.
"Our Pride hasn't produced a female lion cub since Jelani was born." Kiara replied.
Asali's ears perked up. "I really hadn't realized that. Is that a sign? Maybe the great king's want the future Queen to be a special lioness." She replied.
Kiara sat up. "Special huh? You could be right Asali." She replied.
Kiara stretched before turning to go back to Pride Rock. She turned to Asali.
"Before the hunting party leaves I'm going to scout the lands for enemies." She said before bounding down and into the Savannah.
The sun was set high in the sky. Kovu walked through the herds, making sure everything was okay. He had a lot on his mind. He wondered if his mother had survived the fall. If she didn't he prayed that the Great Kings would watch over her. He heard Jelani approaching. The small cub bumped into his father. Kovu turned to his son.
"Hey Dad." Jelani said as he pounced onto his father.
Kovu looked down at his Pride and joy. Jelani was a wonderful child, always wanting to know more about the Pridelands and about his future position.
"Dad when will I be able to see your Kingdom?" he questioned curiously.
Kovu chuckled. "How about after your lessons?" he suggested.
Jelani's ears perked up as he looked up at his father with questionable eyes.
"Your pouncing lessons son." Kovu said with a laugh.
The little cub bounced around his father happily. Kovu had promised that when he was old enough he would teach him how to pounce and catch his prey. The little cub jumped onto his father, biting his ear playfully. Kovu was knocked to the ground, laughing.
"Thanks dad, I won't let you down. I can't wait to be king!"
Kovu placed his paw on his son's head. "I know you will."
Kiara chatted with the animals of the Pride Lands as she passed through. Everything seemed orderly and everyone had everything they would need for survival. Now that her check was complete she could scout the land outside of the Pride Lands for anything suspicious.
The young queen hated being in the dusty savannah because it was near her Grandfather's Eternal resting place. It always made her heart ache terribly when she came here. As she moved forward a small dust storm formed. Kiara closed her eyes and proceeded. Her nose caught wind of something out here. She was determined to find what it was. Eyes closed, she followed her sharp nose out of the dust storm. Her brown eyes couldn't help but stare in horror at the sight before her.
A lion cub lay sprawled under the deadly beaming Dessert sun. She couldn't help but feel sorry for it and went in closer. The scent of life flared in her nostrils as she inched even closer, taking a sniff. It looked helpless and as if it had been stranded. The scent of life was stronger now as the small cub moved a bit. Kiara could feel her heart breaking. Out of guilt she took it by the scruff of its neck and decided to bring it back with her. No one, not even a full grown lion could survive this unbearable heat. The little cub had to be in pain and hungry, weak and pleading for relief. Kiara looked down at the cub then the Savannah before running off. She wondered what her king would have to say.
Kovu laughed to himself as he heard his young son rustling in the thick underbrush. It was similar to when he taught Kiara. Jelani leaped and missed, landing on his back. His father looked down at him.
"Better luck next time my son, but you are improving. We'll have another lesson tomorrow."
The young cub stood straight as he eyed his father. He pounced on him and they rolled around playfully. A roar sounded just in the distance, making both stop and stare at the Pride Rock formation. Kovu stood to his feet. He wondered if something was wrong back at home. It sounded like Kiara but couldn't tell. It was probably the hunting party making a kill. The roar sounded again and this time Kovu recognized it as it resonated and echoed in the empty silence.
"Kiara." He whispered to himself before running off.
Jelani took off after his father, trailing closely behind him. "That was mama." he said hurriedly.
Kovu didn't answer as he picked up speed, not knowing what awaited him back at pride rock. He looked back at his son who seemed worried but upset at the same time. Worried, Kovu hurried along, bounding up the formation and into the den.
"Kiara, what's wrong?" Kovu questioned, noticing Rafiki sitting next to her.
The old Mandrill was tending to the injured cub she discovered earlier. Kovu's eyes darted between the two.
Kiara—what—when! I didn't know you were having another cub." he said, his face pale and faint.
Kiara's brown eyes softened. "I was making my rounds in the Savannah and found this little cub, abandoned and alone. No one can survive that horrible heat. It would've died out there." she explained.
Simba was proud of his daughter. She was looking after the well being of her Kingdom and its inhabitants.
"Oh. Well what are you gonna do with it?" Kovu questioned.
Kiara looked over at the little cub with caring eyes. "She has nowhere else to go and wouldn't survive on her own so I'll adopt her into the Pride."
Nala nuzzled her daughter. "What a wonderful idea dear." She said softly, I'll watch over her until the hunting party returns."
That reminded Kiara that the hunting party was to go hunting as soon as she came back. They needed to gather food before night fell. She went to rally the lionesses. Rafiki stood to his feet before going over to Nala, Simba, and Kovu.
"The little one has a sprained paw and a wound on her tail. I've prepared an ointment for that and I've also wrapped her paw. Make sure she gets plenty of water because she is nearing dehydration. Plenty of rest is vital." Rafiki explained.
While the adults were talking Jelani and Tanai were checking the little cub out. Jelani's royal brown eyes wandered curiously over the cub. Her fur was unlike any other he'd seen. She was a bright honey brown similar to fawn in color. Tanai nudged Jelani.
"So I guess she's joining our pride then right?" Tanai questioned.
Jelani thought it was odd that his mother decided to adopt this cub. Simba and Nala watched the two cubs with curiosity. They had overheard their conversation and decided to answer their questions. Jelani turned to his Grandparents.
"I thought it was against the law to bring a stray into the Pride." he said, looking up at Simba.
"No, it's completely natural if it's a cub but those who are older must be judged by the king." Simba explained, you'll understand someday."
Nala lay beside the little cub. Simba lay on the opposite side. The young cub began to stir as she rolled over onto her back. She opened her tired eyes, letting them focus. They were a beautiful ceil blue. The odd thing about her was the little tuft of hair she had, similar to Vitani's. The little cub looked up at Nala with half-lidded eyes. Her body was in so much pain and yet she couldn't help but wince.
"W-where am I ?" she whispered faintly before falling back into a slumberous state.
Well we have a new addition to the Pride now. I wonder what role she'll play in this fic. Bet u can't guess. Hahahaha. Enough of my talking. Stay tuned for the next beautiful chapter of Kovu and Kiara's Pride: The Lose One.
-EmikoSakura27-