Chapter 4: Friendship Across the Language Barrier
A/N: Alright, guys just like I promised. Here's your late holiday present! ;) Chapter four of: To The Good Life and Back Again. A quick note; this chapter contains strong language, this is one of the main reasons this is rated T.
_{Stephen}_
Both of our mouths agape in surprise, our eyes incredulous to what had happened; we stood there for what seemed like an eternity. To break the awkwardness I spoke again. "Kovu?" The giant beast was only able to nod his head "yes," still flabbergasted by my question. Since it was near closing time there weren't many people around to see my initial jumping-out-of-my-skin reaction when I found out that this animal could completely competently understand me. I couldn't even believe it myself; so I straight out asked him. "Can you understand everything I'm saying?" He had finally snapped out of his dumbfounded shock and gave a quick nod of his head. I looked at him again, and saw the same face as my drawing: serious, but curious, sad, intense eyes that bored a hole into my soul. It was like he was trying to figure me out, like why I was bothering him, or why he could understand me. As we stood there he started to say something to me, but since I didn't speak lion all I heard were a series of short grunts and growls. When he figured this out he put his paw to his forehead like he was embarrassed. I couldn't help but laugh. He growled at me a bit, so I stopped. He lifted up a single paw, and with one outstretched claw he pointed at me. I thought that meant that since I knew who he was he wanted to know who I was so I just flat out told him "My name is Stephen."
_{Kovu}_
A shared silence crept back into our conversation as I analyzed what I was just told. "Stephen," I thought, "Why does that name and face look and sound so familiar? I just can't place it." I looked down at the human again, he looked so nervous, not scared like the keepers, but nervous about our meeting. I was glad that he wasn't scared, but I couldn't help but wonder what he was so nervous about. He spoke again "I know you're not from here, and that you were taken from the wild only a short time ago, so where are you from originally?" I sat there, trying to figure out a way I could tell him, I mean he didn't speak lion so I it was useless to try to explain it verbally. It was just then I figured it out; back home when Rafiki couldn't explain through words, he drew! This would be the first time I had ever tried to use my claws so precisely the result was crude to say the least, but to me I think I drew Pride Rock pretty well for my first time. Stephen watched every stroke I made, trying to figure it out, he even guessed at a few things that made me laugh. Finally when it was done I inclined my head to the drawing. He still looked puzzled so he got as close to the bars as he could and looked down. He turned to me and said "So, it's a bunch of large rocks, and in the angle of the two there is a cave where you slept?" I nodded. "Sounds like a great place." His eyes went from focused to a far-away look, like he was day-dreaming, of what I had no clue. After he came back to his senses he looked up at me and smiled sheepishly, "Sorry," he said "I daze off a lot." I rolled my eyes and shook my head. It's actually kind of funny how you can see so much of yourself in a whole other species. I got closer to the bars as he tried to speak to me in a whisper "I know that you don't like it here, this isn't where you belong, I know that feeling," he stated "So we are going to make a plan to get you out of here, and back to your home; I promise." I couldn't believe what I had just been told! This human barely knew me, and yet he was willing, even promising me that he would get me back home! Overwhelmed with excitement I did the only thing I thought appropriate. I reached one paw out to him, wrapped it around his shoulder and pulled him into an embrace. I looked at him; his eyes still shimmering in my own: hope. I let go and let him step back a bit. He spoke once more "It's going to be long road, and we are going to have some problems," he chuckled, "Especially in the communication department, but with luck, and a whole lot of planning we'll find a way." He then slowly raised his arm and put his hand towards me. I wasn't quite sure what he wanted me to do so I sniffed at him. A thousand different smells came to me at once, it was like an overload! I recoiled back a bit and tried to shake the scents out of my muzzle. He laughed a bit at my reaction then explained to me that it's something humans do to establish a friendship. I put my paw out to him, and he placed his hand flat against it. "Friends with a human," I thought, "Maybe this place won't be as bad as Yuddhaya says it is."
_{The Next Day}_
My second day in that place was particularly hectic. The crowds of humans gawking at me just wouldn't cease. After meeting Stephen I tried a few more time to communicate with them, but it seems my roars only excited them more towards my confinement. So I thought the best thing to do was to lay down and try my best to cover my ears with my paws. They only continued to get louder. I blew air out of my muzzle in a frustrated sigh; Stephen apparently saw my fit of rage the day before and warned me about watching my temper. I thought "What would Simba do in this situation... Ah! Right." At that point I stood up, puffed out my chest, and let out the most majestic roar I could; not one of anger, but of attention. Everyone was silent, and it was wonderful! Wouldn't Simba be proud? While others just stared blankly there was a sudden cry from the middle of my audience.
"Tommy? Tommy! Oh my God, has anyone seen my boy?"
Stephen taught me to listen to every syllable said. It makes human speech that much easier to understand. Apparently this woman had lost her cub, and judging from the new smell in my domain I believe I found him. Now I know the exact way a mother lioness looked when her cub was threatened. Looking out I saw a clear representation of Nala's fiery eyes in her own as she raved at the supposed danger her cub was in. I saw this not as a problem, but as an opportunity. Like Aiehu was giving me a test at father-hood before I became one. Kiara and I had been planning on having cubs of our own, but never felt like we were ready. We were waiting for a sign, and I saw this as mine.
By my eyes the man-cub was only several weeks old, barely walking on his shaky legs. I sat down as he slowly waddled his way to me yelling at me calling me "Kitty!" I thought that was just plain cute. The mother, however, wasn't sharing the emotion. She continued her screaming."Tommy, Tommy… Stay away from the Kitty; that is a bad kitty. TOMMY! Listen to Mommy, come back here. Zookeeper! Zookeeper come quickly!"
She was starting to annoy me so I tuned her out, which was hard to do. I instead focused my attention on Tommy who continued his path to where I sat. As curious as I was at his age I never went near anything that was big as I am now. I smiled at his courage. My smile faded however when he fell over a loose stone in his way. He began to cry. Simba once told me that a King is for his people, and must care for all of them. This was my opportunity to test my readiness for my kingship.
I walked as slowly; as cautiously as I could to the fallen man-cub. I gave him the lowest, slowest growl I could to try to tell him not to be worried. I nuzzled him and gave him a small lick on his forehead. The tears stopped flowing, and he smiled; laughed really. It made me happy, I was genuinely happy. He began gently petting my mane as I searched for a place to pick him up so not to hurt him. The back of the neck is where mother lionesses carry their young, but I knew this was not the same for humans from observing their habits. So I gently grabbed the back of his other skin or "clothes" as Yuddhaya had put it. I brought him over to the crowd where the bars were a little bigger so I could fit the cub through. The mother snatched him from me all the while screaming "Give me back my baby you beast!" I rolled my eyes at her turned my back, and ran up to my sleeping rock. I've had enough of them for the day.
_{Stephen}_
I woke up violently from my dream. Sitting up in my bed stretching I mumbled "Man, that was a great dream." Barely awake I noticed the time was 1:02 A.M. So I got up, grabbed a coat and headed out the door. I figured going for a walk would get me tired, and the fresh air would help me think about this whole "Kovu" business. I walked to an open field (Nebraska has a lot of those,) and looked up to the stars. I remembered doing the same thing with my great-grandfather Joseph years ago.
He showed me many constellations: Orion, Sirius, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, and the last one he showed me was Leo the Lion. He told me that Leo was the most important because the star that represented his eye was a piece of Heaven, and if I ever had trouble to pray to that star. He said if I did this God would hear my prayer, and send me an angel. But, it might not be what I was expecting.
I stopped believing in that bull two years ago when Joseph contracted some rare African disease. I prayed and prayed. Did God answer me? Hell no! In bringing back those memories tears sprang to my eyes. I slammed my fist into the ground and cursed the sky above. "Where are your angels now, huh? Where are they you Bastard," screaming at the stars I continued my rage," What the hell is up with all of this lion crap? I never asked for this, never wanted this! Now I have the responsibility of some poor soul in a zoo all because of a dream, what is that? Is that the angel you promised grandfather, how the fuck is a lion supposed to help me?"
I broke down into violet sounds, sobs, whimpering like a child. Looking up once more I noticed clouds forming "Stupid Nebraskan weather." I said under my breath. Staring at the clouds I noticed they began to swirl. "Oh, no," I thought "Please don't let that be a funnel cloud; the last thing I need right now is a tornado."Suddenly, the cloud shot down from the sky reaching the ground only about ten feet away from me. It wasn't a tornado because there was no wind, only clouds. Curious I walked up to the cloud and poked it.
As the saying goes "Curiosity killed the cat." The sudden roar blew me back a few more feet. The cloud dissipated and standing underneath it was a massive golden pelted lion, with a brown-russet mane. His gaze went right through me. He spoke "Child of Man, stand." I did as I was told, he continued "Do you know me, you must at least recognize me?" He smiled. It was barely a smile, but a smile none-the-less. The only thing I could do was shake my head "No." He in turn shook his own head "You humans, so blind to everything around you." He nodded a reference to me "You hold my face in your hands, and you still don't see me?"
Only then did I notice I had my grandfather's mask gripped between my palms. I thought this through; he said this mask was his face, but it wasn't made with lion hide. It was wood. With a shaky voice I muttered "What do you mean, this was mask was carved by a friend of my great-grandfather it was made for him because it was said that his courage was lion-like." The great beast raised an eyebrow "Do you know what proved his courage?" I shook my head once more "No." He walked a few feet closer to me until we were face-to-face. Gently he stated "Just as you are helping my great-grandson regain his land; your great-grandfather helped me regain mine from the clutches of your kind." His voice ended in a slight snarl, and it frightened me. It made me second guess my decision to help Kovu. I realized that I was trying to defy my own human laws to help a single animal who could kill me in seconds if he wanted. "You are confused, indecisive," The Lion spoke in a kind-stern voice "The reason this is on you is because it is a part of your destiny, your history. This is your Circle of Life."
It was then I knew that what this lion said was legitimately made to help me figure this out. Joseph always told me about the Circle of Life, and about the delicate balance that holds it in place. With that I latched onto the shoulders of the great lion and pleaded with him. "I want to help, but how? How do I help him and his whole pride if I can't understand anything they try to tell me?" He smirked "I was wondering when you were going to get to that, it's the main reason I came down from my star in Heaven to give you your great-grandfather ultimate gift. To truly make you understand your purpose in the Great Circle of Life." I stared forward "His ultimate gift, what do you mean?" He chuckled and sighed, rolling his eyes like Kovu had done so many times before. "Humans need everything drawn out for them, so maybe this will help you out the most." With that statement he pounced on top of me pinning my arms against his massive paws. He stared into my eyes I could see great colors reflected in his own. He took a giant breath, and let out an amazing roar that shook the trees. He let me up and calmly he stated "You've been given the gift of Tongues in Animal, use it wisely Stephen, and if you ever need me call out "Ahadi" to Astra de Leo, and I as well as our Lord will be listening, as always." In a flash he disappeared along with the storm clouds.
A/N: Alright guys there you go! There is plenty to come after this. I want to give a special thanks to Simbafan for letting borrow some ideas from his "Pride Trilogy." Please review and if you have any questions just email me at . Thanks! ~ SinxhetXXI
