Hello, hello, hello! Thanks for the reviews, I see a lot of you are interested in the dark side of Sarafina.
Now I would like to know what you thought about the back story of Scar and reason behind Diku's death.
Now, onto the next chapter. Enjoy.
Simba swished his tail slowly, his dark brown gaze wandering placidly away from the training. It's been hours since he arrived at the ditch. The dark beige cub sighed as he felt his eyelids droop, and quickly shook his head to clear the tiredness.
It was the middle of the day, the heat making it even harder to stay awake. He was sitting in the shadow of an umbrella tree, supposedly watching the prince of Buckhaven, a pale cream three month cub and Malka, a pale orange four month cub battled in the sandy ditch under the watchful eye of Malka's step-father, Sonco.
Today was a big day in the Pridelands. And it's not for just the day. This celebration will go on until recruiting has been done.
At least that's what his grandmother said. But she also said that he shouldn't get his hopes up about being recruited in either the king's guard or the Lion Guard.
But regardless of whether or not he would be recruited, it was a must for all cubs in the Pridelands pride to attend. And currently, he's waiting for his turn, but he was doubtful of ever being able to land a single blow on either male including his cousin, who was a prized gladiator when it came to sparring.
Malka, was already halfway to his teens and was nearly triple Simba's weight and Prince Barry, though younger than him, his cousin and Malka, was a better fighter than him.
"Tuck in your head, Barry!" Sonco corrected sternly, motioning with his paw. "Malka, don't underestimate your opponent-that was a good example of it."
The growls and grunts continued on, but Simba was barely paying attention at all.
Simba sighed softly, his paws scuffling softly on the dusty ground as he returned his dark brown eyes back to the training. He hated boredom. It was so...exhausting. It crept slowly through his limbs, making him limp and utterly brain-dead at times. What a bother.
"Hi,"
Simba glanced around, jolted from his thoughts by the soft voice. The dark beige cub was most surprised to see the second princess. Since he was able to go out, he hasn't really made any friends. The princesses and the other cubs seemed to stay away.
He's not stupid. He was told why everyone acts weird around him. But what about him that made Kopa want to talk to him?
"Oh...hey." Kaidan replied in a slightly dull tone. He blinked his eyes at her, seeing his boredom reflected in her blue ones. Simba frowned before taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry if I sounded harsh. But you okay?" He added, feeling guilty about how he spoke to the princess.
Kopa smiled which made the older cub smiled in return. "Yeah, I'm fine and don't worry about it."
The light gold cub waved her creamy colored paw in dismissal before plopping her hindquarters down beside Simba.
He tilted his head and blinked at her. "It's not like I don't appreciate your company but why now?"
Kopa shrugged. "Not sure. Or perhaps I wanted I friend who wasn't obsessed because I'm royalty."
Simba chuckled before smiling cheeky. "Technically, I'm royalty too. You're uncle is my uncle too." when Kopa giggled, something enlightened within. He gave the princess besides him a small nuzzle. "I'm always here to talk."
"I'll take you up on that." the light gold princess smiled softly.
Simba flicked her with his tail and went to say something but was cut off, as a sharp call came from the ditch.
"Simba! It's your turn!" Sonco roared calling the dark beige cub.
Simba stood up immediately, turning away from his new friend and approaching the edge of the sandy ditch. The five month cub felt Kopa's tail flick his shoulder, and he glanced back just before she loped away to joined her sister and the other female cubs. He slid down the dirt to land in the sand, shaking the grit from his beige pelt.
"I'm ready." His determined voice was louder than usual as he gazed up at the king's guard captain, feeling the eyes of Kopa on his pelt. It gave him a strange tingle, and he straightened.
"I see." The pale brown,black, bluish tinted mane lion replied, the corners of his mouth lifting faintly. "I want you to work with Kovu, as he is only slightly larger than you." He informed the dark beige cub.
Simba thought that was an understatement, as though they were a few days apart, Kovu was a bit more stockier. Still, he turned to face his dark brown cousin without a complaint.
Kovu glared at him with leafy green eyes, a smirk painted across his muzzle and his tail twitching eagerly.
Simba sighed to himself.
"Alright Simba, I want you to try and find the best way to knock over Kovu. Do it any way, as long as you refrain from using your claws. I am just going to study your strengths, we'll work on actual moves later." Sonco directed, stepping back a bit and dipping his head for the two to begin.
Simba's eyes flicked back to his cousin as Kovu stood waiting patiently. He readied himself, making sure his claws were in and keeping his gaze fixed now on the few days younger male.
"Come on, Simba." Kovu muttered, his leafy green eyes glinting.
Simba huffed softly, feeling so very small. Kovu was always full of himself. With a quick movement, Simba bolted forwards.
Kovu was ready, and dodged even faster. But Simba expected this, having seen the dark brown cub do this many times before. Simba turned easily and let his paws thump against his cousin.
Kovu stumbled sideways, looking around at the dark beige cub. He reared up, and before Simba could move he felt himself brought down under the younger cub's paws. He struggled away, the dark brown cub didn't have a good grip, and rolled quickly to his paws before charging back towards his younger cousin.
He grappled with him for a bit, swiping and pawing at his opponent. Kovu retaliated with harder and more effective blows, but they were fewer. Simba's slight smallness and agility helped him to wiggle free when trapped. After a few more minutes of combat, Sonco stepped forward.
"That's enough." He told cousins as they broke contact and panted up at him.
Simba let out a long breath and sat down, sides heaving visibly. Kovu did the same, a bit less exhausted, but still looking beat.
Sonco dipped his head with a warm smile. "Very good, you two."
Before either of the cousins could catch their breaths or they could say anything, the pale brown lion stepped passed the exhusted cubs and headed up the ditch.
...
As the sun was shinning brightly against the afternoon sky, a dark orange lioness awoke to see that she was the last one up. She stood with a yawn before exiting the main cave. She headed for the smaller cave near the stoned slope. No one was in there either, she was about to pounder where everyone was when her ears perked at the familiar voice of the royal Sherman.
Linda looked towards the slope to see Rafiki.
"Morning Madame Linda. Captain Sonco said that you wasn't feeling well."
Now that Linda thought about it, she has been feeling quite tired lately. And moody, she looked at the baboon and shook her head. "I'm not sure. Can you give me a check up?"
Rafiki smiled before mentioning for the dark orange lioness to lie down. Linda complied and laid on her side as Rafiki moved his hands over the lioness' body. Once he came to the lower stomach a huge smile formed.
"Ah. Congratulations my dear."
Linda looked up and smiled. She knew that with those words she was bringing a new addition to the family. She gave the Sherman a hug before running off. She had to tell Sonco the wonderful news.
Linda had found her mate at the waterhole with her son, Malka. With a deep breath, the dark orange lioness walked towards her mate and son.
"Hey, guys." Linda smiled earning a smile from her new mate and a loving nuzzle.
Sonco pulled away to beam at the seemly glowing lioness in front of him. "You're in a better mood."
Linda smiled lightly before sitting. "I just found out that I am pregnant. Isn't that great?"
Malka snapped his head up at that. His hazel eyes widened. He was surprised with the situation, for one thing he sure wasn't prepared for some information like that. And the pale orange teen wasn't a hundred percent on how he felt.
While his mother and step-father embraced. Malka quickly left the waterhole. Desperate for some space of his own.
In the midst of retreating, Malka subconsciously found himself at the western border. Since he was a lieutenant in the king's guard, he decided to patrol the border. While figuring out how he's going to deal with this new chapter in his life opening up. When the sounds of growling reached his black tufted ears.
The pale orange, small black maned teen ran towards the sound to see four hyenas circling a pre-teen lioness. Her pale brown pelt was marveled with cuts and bruises. As her greenish-blue eyes was focused on the poachers.
With a mighty roar the teen charged forwards scaring the hyenas towards the grave yard.
"Thank you, but I could of handled it." the pre-teen lioness mumbled after regaining her composter and catching her breath.
Malka turned towards the few months younger female with a glare."What are you doing, trespassing in the Pridelands!"
The lioness scoffed, "I don't have to answer to you."
Malka's hazel eyes narrowed before growling. "Yeah you do! I am a part of the king's guard for his royal highness, King Mufasa! Now tell me before I report you!"
The lioness sighed, "Fine. My name is Kula and I'm looking for a pride."
Malka grunted, not at all please with his task or the female. "Come with me, I'll take you to the king."
Malka began to walk away when Kula ran to get to his side."Don't I get to know my hero's name?"
"Malka." the pale orange teen grunted.
Malka stopped walking and looked at the female behind him as she suddenly burst into a fit of giggles. "What's so funny?"
Kula tried to stop but they kept coming as she pointed a colorless paw at the lieutenant. "Your name means queen!"
Malka growled before turning around and continued to walked towards priderock with a snickering Kula towing behind.