Sarabi 7

Sarabi, Sarafina, and Mufasa were walking back up the rocks stairs to the above ground cave she had been in earlier. Sarabi hadn't noticed before that behind her had been a big circular rock in the back of the cave, where an old gray, grizzly lion slept. She was so nervous, what if Memphis- eh, Ahadi (it would take her a while to get used to his actual name) didn't let her and Sarafina stay? What if he made them return to the River Pride? Sarabi shuddered at the thought of returning and marrying Ejo. Tail swishing nervously the three lions entered the cave.

Mufasa motioned for them to stay back, and then began to slowly walk forward. Lowering his head respectfully he asked, "Father?"

King Ahadi lifted his old head; he gave a pitiful smile and whispered, "Come my son."

Mufasa tip-toed over to his father and lay beside him, "Father, this is Sarabi and Sarafina from the Western and Eastern River Pride. They had run away because of their ill-treatment and were attacked by hyenas. I had found them and Katari healed them. I am here before you today asking you to let them stay."

Mufasa then leaned toward his father and whispered something quietly in his ear. With a smile, Ahadi nodded, "You lionesses are welcome to stay. I remember you from when you were a cub Sarabi, so full of life, underappreciated from your father." Sarabi blushed and the King continued, "I don't believe in forced marriages, and the queen is just as important as a King. We always welcome new lions into our pride."

Sarabi had never heard anything that sounded so great in her life. Things were finally starting to change around here. All of a sudden a thin and scraggly lion with a small black main entered the cave. "Oh father, you said if Mufasa didn't find a mate by next month I would- well, well what do we have here?"

Sarabi felt scared. The lion before her had a little beard and had a scar on his eye, wait scar… "Taka!" Sarabi shouted as she bounded playfully on top of him. "I haven't seen you in forever!'

Taka pulled back in disgust, "Who is this? Get this mad lion off me!"

Sarabi was hurt, how could he not remember her? They had had such a fun time together that day in the river. "It's me Taka, Sarabi." She said taking a step closer to him.

Taka leaped back and bared his teeth, then Mufasa jumped in front of him and growled, "Don't even think about hurting her Scar."

Scar? Who was Scar? Thought Sarabi as she looked around wearily.

Katari entered the cave and saw what was happening and rushed to Taka's aid. "Mufasa it's not his fault he can't remember her!"

Sarabi didn't realize that there was a gentle side to Katari, Sarabi said, and "Katari, what is going on, what's wrong with Taka?"

Katari gave a sad glance towards Sarabi, then turned to Mufasa and said, "Take her outside and tell her what happened."

Mufasa nodded and Sarabi came to Mufasa's side. Looking at the ground they padded down the rock stairs. Looking at Sarabi with a week smile they came to the bottom of the large rock structure.

Mufasa sighed and said, "Sarabi, Taka has been…. Different since you last saw him. A few months ago Taka and I were rough housing on top of Wildebeest cliff and then something bad happened. A wildebeest heard starting to run towards the canyon and Taka got in the way. Taka was swept up in the heard and fell down the cliff… He was lucky to have survived, but has gotten kind of sick in the head. The only visible proof of the stampede is a scar over his right eye. He will only go by Scar now, to remind how he got hurt and I didn't."

Mufasa looked so upset by this, almost like the whole stampede was his fault. Sarabi nuzzled him and buried her face in his soft mane. "Mufasa you couldn't have stopped a whole stampede by yourself, there is no way this was your fault."

Mufasa sighed, "I know, but he got hurt and I didn't. Scar is sick and twisted because of I couldn't save him. Now all he wants to do is take over the pride and become King. He hates me."

Sarabi pulled back to look at his face, "Mufasa. Look at me."

Mufasa turned his head and his yellow eyes shined like the African sun as he looked at Sarabi. Gently Sarabi buried her face deep into his chest, "You are a great lion, I have missed you very much, the day I met you there was so much love in your eyes. You loved Taka – I mean Scar, and you took care of him. Remember that day? He got upset because he couldn't catch anybody in our game of tag, so when he started to cry you got everyone to slow down and let him win. "

Mufasa looked down at the cream colored lioness he loved, "I am glad your back Sarabi, there has been so much sadness in our pride, my father's illness has taken a toll on all of us, especially my mother."

All of a sudden Katari rushed out, panting heavily she looked up, "Mufasa! It's your father!"

Sarabi and Mufasa quickly got to their paws and darted in the high cave. Mufasa skidded to a dusty stop as he saw the whole pride look at him with sorrow filled eyes. Gulping Mufasa stepped forward to see a lion that Sarabi hadn't seen before. With a long body like gold, the old lioness sat with eyes squeezed tight as small tears slowly dropping on Ahadi. Scar sat in the corner with a sneer on his face, as if he didn't care about his father.

"Mother?" Murmur Mufasa as he inched towards the great old King on a large stone bed.

With a groan and a cough Ahadi lifted his head, "Son, come closer."

Scar groaned and stepped forward but Ahadi shook his head, "Mufasa."

Scar backed away with disgust on his face when Mufasa crouched to his father, "You are the new King of the Pride lands. You must find a good queen," Ahadi turned his head towards Sarabi and she came towards him, "Take care of my son. I see kindness in your eyes and the spirit of a great leader," Turning back towards Mufasa, "If you are wise you will choose her".

Mufasa and Sarabi stepped back, "Yes father," Mufasa said with his sad deep voice.

Ahadi looked towards the lioness next to him, whom was his mate. "Uru, I love you. Take care of our child.

Uru nodded, "Yes my darling."

And with a last attempt, the great King roared and then his head fell with a clump to the ground.

The King was dead.