A Heart's New Beginning-Chapter 4, Into the Pride and Kopa's Visit
The group of lions ascended the steps up to Pride Rock's cave. Every lion other than the group was already inside the cave either grooming their cubs, talking with each other, or eating a late meal. The group lay down in their usual spots except for Simba and Shegro. When eyes met the new Pride lion, they gasped and their eyes widened.
"Is he a prisoner?" asked many.
"No," said Simba, calming them down with one look. "He was getting a drink at the watering-hole when Vitani found him." (At this, everyone looked confused: they couldn't see how he wasn't a prisoner for that.) "He said that his mother disbanded from her Pride when he was a cub and they began to travel. She died on the way, and he nearly starved. He obviously didn't know that there was a Pride here, and only took a rabbit."
Some lions were still wondering about if he was a prisoner, some were wary. Even some of the old outsiders looked like they wouldn't like it much if a rogue was let into the Pride. Only a few of them, Kovu, and Vitani remembered what Simba had done for them.
"I have welcomed him into our Pride. I don't believe this is an ambush of any kind, there aren't any other lions in the area," said Simba eyeing Shegro as if making sure he told the truth and that it wasn't an ambush. He had had expierience with those before, by someone in his very Pride now. But Shegro shook his head and Simba continued.
"He is welcome. In case any of you are thinking anything about letting a rogue in, just remember back a few months. And anyway, all lions are one, and what would he do if we didn't share with him? Yes, he would die, and that is not nescessary. He is ours now, so please treat him that way."
Every lion nodded, understanding. Vitani wouldn't have had any problem at all with a new lion coming into the Pride, but this particular one, well, she didn't know yet.
"What is his name?" asked a few of the males.
"It's Shegro," said Shegro dipping his head in respect to them.
"Well, we can sure do with another anytime!" said someone from the back. As many lions got up to greet him and introduce theirselves, Vitani saw Kovu in the crowd. He walked up to Shegro and bowed his head. Vitani could hear what he was saying.
"It's good to have you here. And trust me, I know how you feel now, so does Vitani," said Kovu nodding to the side towards his sister before walking back to his spot on the raised rock behind Simba and Nala's spots.
Vitani heard Shegro say, "Oh, so that's the baboon's name, is it?" and she would have pounced, but her friend from the Outlands, Nazari, walked in front of her and lay down next to her.
"He's a good-looking one, isn't he?" Nazari giggled quietly to Vitani.
"Not now, not ever," she reponded. "I've seen baboon butts that are prettier."
And she glared at him one more time before drifting off to sleep.
Vitani was frozen to the spot again in her place inside the cave. Finally, she forced herself to roll over again and look outside. Kopa was sitting on the edge again, looking out towards the lands that he would have ruled with Vitani if only he had lived.
Vitani pushed herself up and walked out to lay down next to the cub, her front legs stretched out in front of her. Silently, Kopa walked to her and settled in between her legs. She licked him on top of his head and he looked up at her his those eyes of his.
"It's good to see you again, 'friend'," he said with his playful little voice.
"You too, Kopa," said Vitani laughing quietly. He had always put an emphasis on the word 'friend' as if pretending that she really wasn't.
After a few moments, Vitani remembered a question she had wanted to ask him after her first dream.
"Kopa?"
"Uh-hu?"
"Why do these dreams seem so real to me if it just...well, a dream?" she asked. The dreams did seem very real, and she remembered the last one as if it had happened.
"Err, I can't tell you that now, but I will eventually," he said shyly. "So, I see you've got a new lion in the Pride, huh?" asked Kopa thoughtfully.
"Ha, yeah, Shegro," said Vitani with a look of utter disgust. "Know it all," she thought to herself.
"I know how you think of him, Vitani, but at least try. Get to know him a bit," said Kopa with a convincing voice.
"And exactly why would I do that?"
"Just do it for me, all right? Listen, my dad knows what he's doing and it would probably mean something to him if you got along with Shegro, and anything that means something to my dad, means something to me. Also, the Pride-Landers have tried their best to know you!" he said.
"Fine, I'll try. Maybe," she muttered.
"Plus, I led him here," said Kopa inocently.
If looks could kill...but then again, it they wouldn't exactly work on Kopa.
Author's Note: Sorry it's a short one, but I didn't want to put too much in it. Anyways, next part has Shegro, so keep reading, er...vigurously! (Sorry, my spelling stinks, and that doesn't look right...)
And to 'Starzinmieyez', yes, your're probably right, but they have to hate each other now. Keep reading though, there will be more than just that.
To 'johny2bp' thanks so much! I'll try and do my best, the only story I won't be finishing is my Pirates of the Caribbean one, I just don't have time for it. But yes, I won't quit on my stories, so trust me. And everyone else, I'm trying to get a chapter done a day. Enjoy!
