"Uhh…my back…", Mufasa grunted.
"Hold still Mister", Timon brushed Mufasa's back with a leaf. "I'm healing your wounds."
"T-thank you…", Mufasa tried to hold still. Simba sat beside his father, looking deeply worried.
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"Are you sure you aren't having any serious injuries? The alligator attack was so horrible…"
"Oh son", Mufasa smiled. "I survived from...well you know. A little wrestle won't kill me."
"I hope so...but you were so cool!", Simba's eyes were full of excitement. When the predator was almost about to gonna eat Pumbaa, Mufasa came like a miracle and saved him. The fight was long and exhausting, and the king took several bites, as well as almost drowned. But eventually, the alligator gave up and let his lunch go. Pumbaa's leg was badly bruised, that he wasn't able to walk for days. After the teary reunion, Simba introduced his new friends to his father and told how they saved him.
"Nice that you are thinking like that", Mufasa ruffled Simba's forehead. "I was so worried about you after we were separated."
"Sorry about that…I shouldn't have climbed up. I wasn't thinking…"
"Well, I admit I really thought you were gone for good. I was sure I will never find you from this jungle…"
"Hakuna Matata", Simba corrected.
"I'm sorry, what?", Mufasa looked confused.
"Hakuna Matata", Timon landed down. "This beautiful paradise of us is called Hakuna Matata."
"I see…what does that mean?"
"No worries", Timon replied. "I already told Simba about our special motto. Hey Pumbaa!"
"Yes?", Pumbaa was resting in their bed.
"Are you hungry my piggy?"
"A bit yes."
"Well in that case…wait here!", Timon ran into the bush. Smiling, Simba turned to his father.
"Dad?"
"Yes, Simba?"
"I'm happy you were found. I missed you, a lot."
"Me too", Mufasa smiled. "This jungle sure is wonderful."
"Yeah, Timon and Pumbaa showed me many interesting things. This is just like back at home!"
"Perhaps…but not completely. The jungle is far more different than Savannah. More dangerous animals. As a matter of fact…"
"Yeah?", Simba looked confused. "What is it?"
Looking over his shoulder a bit, Mufasa remembered this mysterious threat he had sensed when he was looking for Simba. It might still be there, watching them from the shadows…
"Uh, nothing", Mufasa shook his head. "Don't worry."
"Oh, okay", Simba nodded, then turned to see Pumbaa. "Pumbaa! How are you feeling?"
"A bit hurt, but I'm gonna recover. I can't ever thank your father enough."
"Well, it was the least I can do when you were looking after my son", Mufasa smiled. "So, do you and your friend live here together?"
"Yeah. This is our paradise, our home. In here, we are not chased and can live as we want. I have been through many hard things in my life", Pumbaa said.
"So sad to hear…we really understand you. Right, Dad?", Simba smiled.
"I guess…", Mufasa answered. This all was a bit confusing.
"Yes, Simba told me how you were forced to escape from your home. He didn't tell the details, but may I ask what happened?", Pumbaa gazed at Mufasa.
"Well…", Mufasa was unsure what he should say. He didn't want to reveal his true identity…what if news of Scar's overtake had reached here as well and some of the animals recognize him and Simba and their survival would then be blown up? They would be in real danger. Sure in these forests might be the former pridelanders as well, but Mufasa doubted there weren't many. He and Simba had reached far enough. But just in case.
"Umm…I'm sorry but I can't answer that. Too…painful."
"Oh…okay", Pumbaa smiled. "No harm was done."
Realizing how Mufasa did this on purpose, made Simba remain silent.
This is not a good idea to continue the subject…Dad's face is telling it.
"But I really like Simba! He's a cool kid", Pumbaa smiled. "Hopefully you can stay for some time."
"We'll see…", Mufasa smiled as well and then, Timon came back.
"Hello everyone! I bet you are pretty hungry. Well, the dinner is served!", Timon put the leaf on the rock, revealing many different worms and bugs.
"Food, yay!", Simba and Pumbaa smiled, while Mufasa stared at the dose.
"Umm…that is for who?"
"For all of us. And don't worry, there is more if we run out. Now, dig in!", Timon said.
Staring in total confusion, Mufasa couldn't believe his eyes as Timon and Pumbaa began to eat. And like that's not enough…
"Simba…what in the world are you doing?!", the king stared as his son was ready to swallow a worm.
"Oh this…I'm eating. I know, looks weird…I thought so too. But these are actually pretty good! You should try Dad!"
"I…", Mufasa stopped as Timon walked in front on him.
"How about some slippery snails? Or icky insects? We have plenty of different tastes!"
Staring at Timon like he was pranking him hard, Mufasa shook his head.
"I'm sorry…but are you eating bugs for living…?!"
"Yeah! And they sure are good! Try some!"
"I'm, I'm sorry but…lions don't eat bugs. We eat meat."
"I know that…", Timon backed away a bit. "But breaking the habit would make some good for you as well. Look at your son!"
Watching Simba made Mufasa shook his head even more. This was not true…his son was eating bugs with a warthog and a meerkat who lived together in this so-called paradise…
"Uhh…I'm terribly sorry but…"
"Tsk…you are thinking we are out of our minds. Well, let me tell you something…Mufasa, was it? Even if we aren't as big and majestic as you, we still have feelings! Don't judge us just because our lives are so different than yours!", Timon said, making Simba turn his head towards him.
"Disrespect?! No, I'm not disrespecting you! I just…", Mufasa tried.
"Oh really?! Well, let me show you! Sit big kitty!", Timon commanded with a sharp tone…which made Mufasa obey. Simba and Pumbaa stared at each other…what was happening?
"And now. Look around you! Isn't this place good enough for you?!"
"Yes of course it is! But…"
"Well, then respect it! I don't know where you are from…but your son said you are noble. The king of cats! And I don't like your attitude mister!", Timon spat. Mufasa looked at him…and didn't know how to respond.
"Wow, I have never seen Timon like this…", Pumbaa whispered.
"Yeah…he is seriously lecturing Dad", Simba answered.
"And maybe our lifestyle is not made for you…but we enjoy it. And because…", Timon took a position. "Here, no one can tell us what to do. But looks like you need to clean up your assumptions!"
"What?", Mufasa began, but Timon lifted his hand in front of him.
"Okay, I'm just a little meerkat who comes from a huge society. We spend our lives while digging holes...just to avoid getting killed. Not much I know, and I didn't like that either. So I left...but a part of my heart is always there. With my family. I respect their life...but that's not for me. Heard me? Respect!"
Circling Mufasa, Timon pointed him sharply with his finger.
"So you say you wanna be a good father? Well, how can you do that, if you show Simba such goofy behavior?! Rules are only making life miserable!"
Leaning from side to side, Simba giggled as watched his puzzled father. Timon snapping at him was so funny. Trying to move, Mufasa stood up. But Timon forced him against a tree, anger on his face.
"Dad, relax! And enjoy", Simba smiled and lifted his thumb up. Staring at him, Mufasa wasn't sure what to think. His son was some hippie now? How great.
"Ancore, ancore!", Wooohoooo!", Pumbaa clapped. "Well done Timon!"
"Thanks, bud", Timon bowed. "And as for you…never teach your son to be so narrow-minded! Got it?!", he eyed Mufasa, eyes narrowing. Not believing this at all, the king only nodded for response…and made Simba grin.
*The same night*
As Timon and Pumbaa were sleeping deeply, Mufasa laid a couple of meters from them, under a fern while Simba slept beside him.
What day…those two weird animals and how they ate bugs…where is this world going?
Feeling a huge relief how he was finally reunited with his son, Mufasa wondered what they should do next. Leave? But here, they had food and protection…and Simba had made new friends. But were they safe if didn't move?
"Can't you sleep, Dad?"
Looking down, Mufasa noticed how Simba had woken up.
"Uhh…not exactly. But don't worry."
"Bothered with what you saw today?", Simba sat up. "Timon and Pumbaa do live a quite different life than us."
"Yes…totally different. I just can't understand it…no matter how much I want to."
"Maybe you don't have to. I certainly don't understand everything", Simba answered.
"Mm-hmm…how about we have a little walk? I spotted a nice meadow when we were coming here", Mufasa stood up. Agreeing, Simba followed his father into the forest. Soon, they were sitting in the grass, surrounded by fireflies.
"Cool!", Simba smiled. "See those?"
"I do son", Mufasa smiled. "You know…this reminds me of that day I told you about The Great Kings."
"Oh yeah", Simba nodded. "It was such a good story!"
"Indeed…god how I miss home. And Sarabi…"
"Me too…", Simba sighed. "But we will get there soon! Right?"
"I hope so. Not maybe soon…but someday, as I promised. I'm only wondering what to do next…"
"Well can't we stay here? Timon and Pumbaa would love that."
"I don't know…we can't reveal our identities, just in case. We can never know if there are Scar's spies."
"I guess so…but I just like them! I don't have other friends now that Nala is gone."
"Oh, you don't count me in? Well in that case…", Mufasa grinned, grabbing Simba and giving him a noogie.
"Dad! Not again! Stop!", Simba laughed. "You are hurting me!"
"Not a chance! Take this you little monster…!", Mufasa smiled, tickling Simba even more. After a long playful fight, they both landed on their backs.
"Hah, that was fun!", Simba smiled. "Look at how many stars!"
"Yes…this place sure is beautiful", Mufasa smiled. "How lucky we are when finding this…"
"Dad", Simba wondered. "Do you think Timon and Pumbaa could come with us when we go home? I really like them."
"I know you do. But we can't go back to The Pridelands for a long time. But we can't live with bugs…I gotta eat some proper food."
"Hah, it was so funny how Timon teased you."
"I didn't dare to say anything. I owe them a lot because of their bravery. So maybe we can stay with them for some time", Mufasa said.
"Oh wow…thanks Dad!", Simba smiled.
"But…", Mufasa rolled onto his stomach. "No bugs! I mean I respect their lifestyle…but we are not them. So, we eat as we have eaten until now. Okay?"
"Okay", Simba agreed. "It was only a temporary meal since I was starving."
Smiling, Mufasa pulled Simba between his paws. "Oh, I totally forgot your daily bath! So…"
"Uh, god no!", Simba tried to break free as Mufasa started washing him. "Yuck! Dad, stop!"
"Sorry son. But since your mother isn't here, it's my job to do this", Mufasa kept washing. Sighing in irritation, Simba just grunted.
A bit later, father and son walked back to their sleeping place. Landing down, Mufasa let Simba lean against him.
"Goodnight my prince."
"Night…", Simba yawned. Giving his son a nuzzle, Mufasa soon felt how his eyes started to droop too. And not long after that, both lions were sleeping deeply. But they didn't know that this so-called paradise kept in something very dangerous…and what plans it had for our heroes.
TBC...