The New Arrival and the Bearer of Bad News
The lioness awoke, vision misty and blurred. She could hear voices of others around her, but could only make out vague shapes.
"Who do you think she is?" one voice asked.
"I'm not sure. We'll have to wait for her to come to."
"How long will that take?" one voice, deeper than the others asked. "Cause I'm hungry..."
"Seriously, Kopa? We've got someone here who is hurt bad, and the only thing on your mind is food?"
"Wait, I think she'd waking up..."
"Where...am...I?" she asked in huffing breaths, trying to sit up. She felt a hand lay down atop her head.
"Sh.. you need to relax. You are not in good shape" a voice spoke with a heavy accent. She nodded slowly and brought herself back down to the cave floor. As she relaxed, her vision began to clear up. The first thing she saw was a mandrill, his face wrinkled with age, smiling widely at her.
"Ah, you have awoken. Dat is good news" he said with a smile.
"Where am I? Where are my cubs?" she asked worriedly. She tried to move again, but this time, severe pain wracked throughout her body. She looked down to see her right leg completely burned, and the left not too different. "Are they..." she trailed off, a pleading look on her face as she looked at the surrounding lions.
"No" the pale lioness spoke up, stepping towards her. "They are fine. My daughter's watching over them for now. I'm Nala, the Queen of the Pride Lands. This is my mate, Simba" she said, gesturing to the lion next to her. He nodded to her. "What happened?"
"There was a fire..." she said, face dropping sadly. "I barely made it out..."
"How are you feeling?" Simba asked her in a relaxing tone. The lioness tried to move her legs once more, but winced in slight pain.
"Not all that great. Where did you find me?" she asked, looking to each of the lions.
"Vitani here was walking with Kiara, and they happened to stumble upon you three collapsed on the edge of the Pride Lands" Nala spoke up, motioning to the grey lioness with the tuft of fur on her head. Suddenly, a hornbill flew into the cave.
"Sire, I hate to be a bother, but there's trouble down at the waterhole" the bird spoke in a regal tone. Simba let out a sigh. He turned to the lioness with a smile.
"Duty calls. I'll stop by later to check on you" he said, turning to leave.
"You're welcome to stay as long as you need. What's ours is yours" Nala said caringly, following Simba out of the cave.
With that, Nala and Simba left the small cave. The lioness looked from the vanishing forms of the royals to the two remaining lions. One being a brawny, well built lion with a red mane, the other a thin lioness with pale grey fur and a tuft of hair above her eyes.
"How are you feeling?" Vitani asked in a gravely voice. The older lioness smiled up from her spot in the floor.
"It only hurts if I move. I'm terribly sorry to intrude on your pride-"
"Nonsense" the lion spoke up in a deep voice, slightly startling the older lioness.
"Here, in the Pride Lands, we help out anyone in need. It's kinda our thing around here" he said with a bright smile. "I'm Kopa. Prince of the Pride Lands" he said with a slight bow.
"Alright, you two. Outta here!" the mandrill shouted , shooing them out of the cave.
"We'll be back later to check on you" Kopa told her. "If you need anything, just roar." The two headed out, a conversation beginning as they walked. The lioness smiled warmly at them. She turned to see the mandrill sitting beside her.
"They sure are friendly around these parts." she said. Rafiki let out a small cackle.
"Oh, yes. I have served the royal family of these lands for many years. And aside from one, they've offered nothing but kindness and compassion to almost all." His smile fell quickly. "I'm afraid, though, dat I must break deh happy talk." Concern grew onto her face at the graveness of his tone. "What is your name, my dear?" he asked kindly.
"Raina" she said slowly.
"Raina" he repeated. "Such a beautiful name" he said thoughtfully. "Listen to my words, and prepare yourself, because dis is not light news." She nodded. "During my examination of you...I've found dat de injuries you've received are quite severe."
"How severe?" she asked, dreading the answer.
"Too severe. Your legs have been burned beyond my healing abilities. Also...due to your exhaustion and dehydration...I've found dat your kidneys are shutting down. Dey are already beyond repair. I am sorry" he said, turning away. He'd found himself unable to face her. Delivering news like this was the only thing he didn't like about his job. "I'm afraid you only have a few days left..."
"What? But I feel fine. Are you sure?" Raina asked.
"I'm afraid so." She looked down to the ground, tears brimming her eyes.
"My cubs...what will become of them?" she asked.
"I can assure you, they will be raised by a loving and devoted lioness. She has a big heart and will welcome them openly." Raina brought her gaze up to the mandrill's eyes. She sighed deeply. She looked away, allowing a single tear to fall freely. Rafiki brought her head up towards his own, looking into her eyes. "Do not be saddened by death. It is simply a part of life."
"It still sucks though..." she said to him. He laughed and continued with a smile coming to his face.
"Yes, it may, but tink of it dis way. You threw all caution and safety aside to save your cubs. You may not be here while they grow, but you are the reason that they can. You are their hero, Raina." He turned away, facing the opening of the cave, staring into the plains. "In my life, I have seem many tings. Not all good. But, I know a good heart when I see one. And any mudduh who'd give her own safety for her cubs has a good heart indeed..." He took a deep breath. "I suggest you rest some more. Some sleep may do you some good." Blinking back a few tears, she nodded, bringing her body to the ground slowly, entering a heavy sleep.
-Out on the plains-
Kiara stared lovingly and longingly at the cubs between her paws. Both were a healthy yellow-tan color. The boy having white spots in his belly, the female a cream color. Both were in a deep sleep.
"Oh, you two are just too much" she said to herself with a smile.
"Enjoying yourself?" Kovu asked from his mate's side. Kiara giggled lightly.
"Oh come on, Kovu. Even a big tough guy like you can't deny that they're just too adorable" she said lightly. Kovu smiled.
"I'll admit...they're...cute..." he said. Kiara just rolled her eyes.
"I know there's a soft side to you in there...somewhere..." He shoved her playfully with a chuckle. The two nuzzled lightly.
"Aw, Vitani, isn't that cute" a deep voice mocked from behind. Kovu sighed deeply.
"I'd have to agree with you on this one. Who knew after so long, Kovu'd go soft on us" she said with a vicious smirk. Kovu growled in annoyance.
"Ah, pipe down pussy cat" Kopa said, plopping himself down next to Kovu. "I hear the lionesses love a guy with a sensitive side" he said, causing Vitani to laugh.
"I have not gone soft!" Kovu argued.
"Yeah, yeah" Kopa said, watching his mate lie down beside his sister. He looked at the furry mass between Kiara;s paws. "Hey! Are those the cubs?" Kiara nodded with a smile. "They're adorable" he said, scooting over for a better look. Kovu scoffed.
"Why doesn't anyone get on his case for being soft?" he asked. Kopa batted his brother-in-law on the head.
"Because I admit I'm soft. It's no fun teasing someone who not only admits they're soft, but owns it too" he said with a smile. Kovu batted his paw away. "You just put on your tough-guy skin and walk around like you're Mr. Machismo. I, on the other hand, admit to my feelings" he said, smiling smugly. Kovu just groaned.
"Whatever..."
(During the argument between Kovu and Kopa{they're arguing in the background...kinda like an aside})
Kiara leaned over to Vitani and whispered.
"So this is what motherhood feels like?"
"No. This is what infatuation feels like" Vitani answered in a whisper.
"Well, what's the real thing like?" Kiara asked, confused. Vitani smiled fondly.
"There's no way to describe it. You just get this warmth that comes over you and you have this connection with this creature you gave life to. It's incredible..." she trailed off. Kiara wiped a single tear from her eye with a smile.
"Sounds amazing. Oh, Vitani?"
"Hmm?"
"I don't think Kovu's the only one getting softer" she said with a smile. Vitani's eyes widened. Kiara laughed. "Your secret's safe with me." Vitani smiled back.
"Whatever" Kovu said gruffly.
"Look, Kovy's getting mad" Kopa said, as if talking to a child. Kovu leapt to his paws.
"Listen, Kopa. If you're going to keep pestering me, I think you should go somewhere else. I'm in no mood to deal with your immaturity right now" Kovu said, anger straining in his voice. Kopa feigned hurt.
"Fine" he said, standing up and sniffling. "I can tell when I'm not wanted..." he said in a shaky voice, as if he was about to cry. Kiara laughed at her brother's antics. "I guess I'll just go find my daughter. I know she loves me." Kiara nudged Kovu.
"Now you've gone and upset the boy" she said in a stern voice. Vitani scuffed.
"Yeah right. I say worse stuff to him all the time" she said with a smile. "Plus, he was probably looking to get away from the adults anyways. You know how cubs can get. Kovu'd done his fair share of wandering as a cub." Vitani smiled towards the pair as they replayed the day they'd met in their minds. Standing and stretching, she turned towards the direction Kopa'd gone. "Alright kids, I'm heading out. I've gotta go find my children" she said with a smile. "Lord knows what they're doing now..."
After Vitani left, Kiara and Kovu sat in silence for a few moments. Kovu stared at Kiara as she kept a close eye on the cubs, noticing a sad look cross her soft features.
"Something bothering you?" he asked, scooting closer to his mate. She was silent for a moment, but began to speak slowly.
"I...went to see Rafiki today" she began.
"Oh, what for?"
"Just a check-up." She looked down at her paws, to the sleeping forms of the cubs. "And I found out some news..."
"Good or bad?" he asked, slight worry in his tone. She was silent for another moment. "Kiara?" he asked, turning towards her a bit more. Kiara took a deep breath, and looked at Kovu with tear-filled eyes.
"I...can't have cubs..." she said in a shaky voice, trying her best to hold back the tears.
Hello everyone! Tom Maier here with another installment of The Lion King: The New Kingdom. How will Kovu take the news? I apologize greatly for my absence but I have been super busy with school and work, that I haven't had too much ambition to write. But here I am with a new chapter. I know it's not super long, but I promise to you, if I get enough reviews, I will make the next one a nice big one for you, my loyal readers. Also, if you have any suggestions to what you'd like to see come to life in this story, I would love to read them, shoot me a PM and I'll see if I can fit it in. Till next time!
