Chapter Nine
In the muggy afternoon, the lionesses were gathered in front of Pride Rock watching their young cubs play. Sarafina looked on with a sparkle in her eyes. She could not wait until her baby arrived. It wouldn't be much longer now. Of course, Sarafina was wasn't the only one in the pride who was expecting. She looked to her left and Doa was glowing, but sad. The brown lioness was with her mother and the other elderly lionesses.
"Congratulations, Sarafina!" she heard an elder lioness say.
It was Doa's mother. Doa kept her eyes to the ground as her mother continued to speak.
"Hasani must be so proud. I only wish my daughter had married wisely like you," Doa's mother sighed.
"Yes, but you will still be a grandmother my dear," another old lioness chimed in. "You will have a legacy. I fear the royal family will not be so fortunate. Tsk poor Sarabi! All these years, and still not cubs!"
"It is a shame all our daughters could not be like you, Sarafina!" Doa's mother cried.
The other elderly lionesses joined her in sighing.
Sarafina looked at Doa. The brown lioness was so angry that her claws were extended. Doa opened her mouth to speak, but ran away instead. Sarafina called after her. When she continued running, Sarafina followed her into a thicket.
"Doa," Sarafina hugged her.
"It's all right, Fifi." Doa sniffed. "I'm happy with my choices."
Suddenly, Zenobia burst through the grass with Sarabi leaning on her. Once they were close, Sarabi lied down.
"Are you OK!" Doa cried in alarm.
"Fine, I just need a little rest," Sarabi replied.
"We just took down a buffalo," Zenobia explained.
Doa looked skeptical.
"Why don't we go up to the den," Fifi suggested.
Zenobia helped Sarabi up, and then the four lionesses slowly ascended Pride Rock.
Months later, Sarafina in was in the den cradling her new cub. She saw Hasani over by the entrance so she called him in.
"I noticed Scar lurking around," he said in a hushed tone.
"He's probably worried about Sarabi," Sarafina replied.
Hasani was silent for a moment and then he added, "I don't trust him."
Sarafina sighed. She could not understand why her husband was being so possessive.
"I'm serious," he cried.
"Sir!" a hawk called from the entrance. "I am looking for King Mufasa."
"I have to go now," Hasani grumbled, "but I'll be back soon."
Shortly after he left, the cub awoke and started to cry.
"Oh, what's the matter baby? Are you hungry..?" She noticed the cub beginning to calm down. "You're Mamma's little treasure," she cooed.
Suddenly, she realized that Scar was standing in front of her. He sat down, quietly, with a soft expression on his face. It was such an improvement that she had to smile.
"So, this is little Fifi," he said.
"Nala," she replied.
"She…looks exactly like you." He doted on the cub.
"She does." Sarafina smiled tenderly.
"So," Scar said in a more serious tone, "how is Sarabi?"
"Wonderful," Sarafina chirped. "You're an uncle."
"What?" Scar was shocked.
"I know! It's such a miracle," she replied.
"I must go," he breathed.
Hi, everyone! We've got one chapter left, but don't worry there's a sequel. Please keep the reviews coming; I appreciate the feedback. Also feel free to leave questions, and guesses about the next chapter/fic.
