Chapter 3
The sun filled the lions' den when Taka awoke the next morning. The air was already warm and the cave was empty.
Drat! thought Taka, leaping to his feet. I've overslept.
He slinked from the cave and looked around. Several lionesses were lounging in the grass, some of them bathing their squirming cubs with their tongues. One young lioness, Sarabi, was crouched, her eyes fixed on a colorful butterfly that perched on a rock.
Anger roiled through Taka as his gaze swept over Sarabi's sleek hide. She and Mufasa were betrothed, as it was Pride tradition that the first born male and female of each generation become mates. This, in addition to kingship, he thought bitterly.
Taka turned his eyes from Sarabi and scanned the horizon. A herd of elephants was grazing in the distance and the tall grass swayed against a gentle zephyr. The sky was a vibrant, cloudless blue. He didn't see either Ahadi or Mufasa.
Taka's rage deepened. His father was likely off somewhere, tending to his kingly duties. He always took Mufasa with him, as training to become the next king.
That will actually work to my advantage, he thought, his mood brightening as he returned his focus to the cubs. One of them, Tukutu, had a proclivity for wandering off. Even now he struggled in his mother's paws, eager to get away from his forced bath so that he could practice pouncing with Sarabi.
It's perfect! Taka thought as he padded toward the young lioness.
"Good morning, Taka," she said, leaping at the butterfly. It fluttered away, gracefully alighting onto the next rock.
"Hello, Sarabi," Taka said in a pleasant voice as he forced a smile. "Have you seen Mufasa?"
"Yes." She refocused her gaze on the butterfly and swished her tail. "He's down at the water hole with your father. There's some business with the hippos claiming it belongs to them and no one else should—"
"Thank you." He slinked away in that direction.
Ahadi and Mufasa were standing by the water hole, which was encircled by a crowd of various animals. Several hippos, their pinkish-brown hides looking like large rocks, lay partially submerged in the water. They were blowing bubbles and wiggling their ears as Ahadi addressed them in his deep, rumbling voice.
Taka crouched down in the grass, his mind churning, mentally rehearsing what he needed to say. Act dramatic, he commanded himself. But don't overdo it.
He took a deep breath, shook his scant mane, and dashed forward.
"The water hole belongs to everyone," Ahadi was saying "I suggest—"
"Dad!" Taka rasped, padding up to him and raising his voice to a panicked pitch. "It's Tukutu. I saw him wander off again." He panted to make it seem as if he had run all the way over here. "He was headed toward the Elephant Graveyard."
Ahadi stared down at him through burning eyes. Taka struggled not to cringe or lower his gaze. "Are you telling the truth, Taka?"
Taka swallowed. This isn't the first time I've lied to him, he thought, his mind rapid with panic. Of course he'd be suspicious. "Yes, Dad." He lifted his head higher and tried not to blink. "Do you really want to question me while Tukutu's life is in danger?"
Ahadi sighed. "Very well. Mufasa," he turned toward his eldest son, "you stay here and reason with the hippos while I go after—"
"No!" Taka shouted, desperate. "The graveyard is big. He could be anywhere and there are hyenas around."
"He's right, Dad," said Mufasa. Relief flooded Taka. If Ahadi rarely listened to him, he always listened to Mufasa. "There is strength in numbers. We should all go. That way we can face the hyenas together if they want trouble."
"That's a good point, Mufasa," Ahadi said, tapping Mufasa's muscular shoulder with his paw. Anger flashed through Taka but he quickly forced it back. At least the plan was working. Tonight I'll be regarded as the hero, he thought, feeling suddenly smug. Ahadi turned back to the water hole and faced the hippos. "We'll continue this discussion when we return." He then began striding in the direction of the Elephant Graveyard with Mufasa and Taka following behind.
Taka strained to keep up with them, his thin legs burning. Those idiot hyenas had better be there! he thought, his heart slamming in his chest like the wings of a frantic bird.
He was panting hard when they arrived, breathing in the sulfur fumes and hyena scent that permeated this place.
Ahadi stopped and sniffed the air. "I can't make out Tukutu's scent," he said in an exasperated tone. "The stench of hyenas is too strong. We'd better split up to look for him. I'll head off this way." He jerked his head to the left. "And you two search in the opposite direction. Stick together," he rumbled, his eyes fixed on Taka.
"Of course, Dad," Mufasa said.
Taka's gaze scanned the cliffs as he padded beside Mufasa, pretending to look for Tukutu.
"Why don't those cubs ever listen?" Mufasa grumbled. Taka sighed with relief as he spotted his three hyena friends lingering beneath the tusks of an elephant skull. Shenzi winked. "Don't they realize the danger—"
"Mufasa!" Taka shouted, nudging his brother. "Hyenas!"
"Well look who's ventured into our territory," Shenzi said as she and her brothers crept forward. Her usually confident voice held a tremor of fear as her wide eyes studied Mufasa. Taka felt a sinking in his chest. This won't work if they run off in fear before I can even confront them! "The mighty Prince himself." She raised her head but Taka could see her bony legs trembling. Ed burst into a nervous laugh and Banzai elbowed him.
"Stay close," Taka heard Mufasa whisper but he ignored him.
"Don't you dare hurt my brother!" Taka growled, putting as much emotion into this act as he could. He stepped in front of Mufasa. He saw something large and shadowy move at the edge of his vision but forced his focus to remain on the three hyenas. "Fight me instead."
"Leave them to me," Mufasa whispered, baring his teeth at the hyenas. They yelped and cringed. You idiots! Taka longed to yell. Act tough!
"No!" he gasped, shoving in front of Mufasa. "You're the future king. I should sacrifice my—"
A forth hyena, this one much larger, pounced. Ushari! The name pounded through Taka's mind as her claw raked the side of his face, slashing his left eye.