Shikon in the Serengeti

Now comes the moment of the story you've been waiting for. Can Kagome fair on her own against a new threat?

Ch. 9

The Nomads

It's been several days since Kagome came upon the Pride Landers. Still no way of knowing how to get home, Kagome decides to make the best of it being the only human in a pride of lions. Thanks to Rafiki's medicines, Kagome's injuries have healed completely. Also, the old baboon was able to find something for her to eat – just fruits and the occasional fish from his across-the-river travels. The days meld into weeks as Kagome spent her time in the pride. Luckily for her, Simba was there to guide her through living in this new world, along with the major pride members Kovu, Kiara, Nala, and Kopa. Looks like Kagome's got it made for the time, right?

The sun rises over the horizon. Simba was the first animal awake as always for his usual morning trip to the watering hole for a drink. Back inside Pride Rock, Kopa was up and at 'em, filled with his energetic enthusiasm. After a little stretch, Kopa glances over at his new best friend, still fast asleep. Too impulsive for some fun, he leaps over to Kagome's side and nudges his body against her cheek. The only result he got was Kagome's lazy groan and her back to his face. But this can't deter the cub. Effortly climbing over Kagome's body, Kopa finally made his way past her arms and took her scarf in his jaws and started pulling roughly. Kagome finally stirred and opened one eye. "Ohh, Kopa, not now." He kept pulling. "Kopa, c'mon, it's still to early." Kopa just kept on pulling. Finally, Kagome lifted her hand and placed it on the cub's head and got him to let go of her scarf. "5 more minutes..."

With a huff, Kopa thought of a idea that is surefire to get Kagome up. Scurrying to the end of her blouse, Kopa works his head into the white shirt. Once he's halfway in, he initiates his plan. Using his furry face and long whiskers, Kopa rubs his face against Kagome's soft skin. Kagome's eyes shot up and broke out laughing. The whole pride lifted their heads at the sudden laughter.

"KOPA, STOP IT! COME ON, NOT THIS AGAIN!" Kagome said in-between laughs. Knowing that his plan worked, Kopa pulled himself out of the blouse. Kagome picked up the cub and nuzzled his nose. "You little rascal," she said giggling. Kovu walked over yawning – looks like the two caught him in the middle of a good dream.

"Good morning, Kovu," Kagome greeted.

"Morning," the young lion yawned. Kopa rushed over to his father and playfully ran circles around Kovu's paws. He finally stopped when his father lowered his head and nuzzled the cub's head. Kopa rushed back over to Kagome and grabbed the hem of her sleeve and roughly pulled. She knew what he wanted.

"Okay, okay, I know," Kagome said. She picked up the cub and made her way towards the entrance. Kovu and the lions followed.

"Where are you going?" Kovu asked stopping at the mouth of the cave.

"I thought I'd take Kopa out for the day a little earlier than usual," she replied.

"Be careful then, you two," Kiara called after them. Before Kagome and Kopa took one step out of the cave, Nala ran up to them to say one more thing.

"Kagome, remember not to go anywhere beyond the watering hole," Nala reminded.

"What's beyond the watering hole?" Kagome asked.

"Beyond there lies the elephant graveyard at the border of the Outlands. Who knows what danger still lies in that region, even if Zira's pride is diminished."

"There's been recent sightings of lions from outside this territory. We still don't know anything about them, so it's best to stay close to the Pride Lands," Kovu added.

"Don't worry," Kagome assured, "I'll remember to stay close."

Kiara gave her son a lick (kiss). "Remember to stay close to Kagome, alright?" Kopa licked her back and nodded. He jumps into Kagome's arms and the two run down the steps.

Simba was on his way back to Pride Rock when Kagome rushed past him. "See you later, Simba!" Kagome said turning to bid him a quick good-bye.

"Where are you going so early?" Simba called after her.

"She's taking Kopa out for the day," Kovu told him.

"This early?" Simba asked.

"Apparently, Kopa couldn't wait for everyone else to wake up," Nala said yawning. Simba's eyes told everyone about his concern.

"Kagome knows not to go anywhere near the borders," Kovu assured the Lion King. Simba looked out to the horizon and catches Kagome running out to the fields.

"Zazu," Simba called out. The majordomo comes flying in at command.

"Yes, Sire?"

"Keep an eye on Kagome and Kopa. She's still learning the land, and it could be a little confusing when almost everywhere looks the same at every turn."

"As you wish, Sire," Zazu bowed and flew off.


The sun was finally up in the skies and illuminated the plains. The herds were out in the green fields grazing. Some other herds made their way to the watering hole. Just around the area, Kagome was chasing after Kopa. They made their way past the different herds gathered around the savanna. The two spent most of their days doing the usual things they've been doing since Kagome started living with the pride - riding the elephants, chasing flamingos, racing the zebras, and running away from some water buffalo whenever their antics really agitate the herd. Thanks to hanging around Simba and some of her own experiences with Inuyasha and her friends, Kagome's been able run as fast as the cub, not real fast, but enough to avoid water buffalo and the occasional rhinoceros. The two spent their whole morning with nonstop fun until the sun was high in the sky.

The afternoon came, and out of the tall grass comes Kagome, fairly tired from the activities she did with Kopa. Wait, where's Kopa? She looked around her to find the cub, but there's nothing. "Kopa?" she called. "Where are you? Come on, Kopa, if you're hiding I'm coming after -"

"RREEOOW!" A ball of fluff popped out from the grass and tackled the girl from behind. The momentum and weight of the cub knocked the both of them down the dead-end hill just beyond the tall grass. The two came tumbling down the hill laughing. But while they were sliding down, they came across another animal in their path and rolled right into it. When they all came to a stop, Kagome found a meerkat on top of her and a warthog under her.

"Hey, hey, hey," Timon shouted, "can't a meerkat and warthog walk down the path without getting run over?"

"Hello to you, too, Timon," Kagome said rolling her eyes and smiling. Suddenly, a flatulent sound was let loose, followed a rather unpleasant odor. Kagome and Kopa hopped off Pumbaa, holding their noses and nearly tearing.

"Sorry..." Pumbaa apologized while blushing.

"Whew! Way to let it loose," Timon commented. They all had a laugh out of it. "So, where're you two doing rolling down the hill like a couple of rocks?"

"Just having some fun," Kagome replied. Suddenly, Kopa perked his ear and rushed off. "Kopa, where do you think you're going?" She rushed after him, leaving Timon and Pumbaa standing there confused.

Kagome followed the cub as far as the last acacia and into the tall grass. After running through the grass, Kagome came upon a barren land: the border between the Pride Lands and Outlands. 'Oh, no...' Kagome thought, fearing that Kopa may have wandered into across the border and into foreign territory. Suddenly, Kagome felt a familiar sensation, something she hasn't felt in weeks. 'The Sacred jewel shards! But why is it here? Not unless...' Before she could finish her thought, she wasted no time in rushing into the ominous land to get Kopa out of there. She knows very well never to go anywhere near the border, but not when her instincts on the situation are running wild. Further into the land, the presence of the shards grew as her own suspicion and concerns grew. The bones and remains of prey sends chills up her spine. This is not a friendly neighborhood.

Kagome finally stopped at a dead end where a huge wall rose nearly 12 feet. Looking around, it would take a while to climb it and much longer to go around it. She heard a meek growl and turned around to find Kopa crouching and cowering close to a huge boulder that formed a small shelter. "Kopa, what are you doing under there? You know better than to run off like that." Kopa started growling. Just then, a strong feeling of the jewel shards shot through Kagome's senses. She could feel it very close by. Actually, it's right behind her. She pivots around and she was met with a whiskered, dark-colored muzzle and visible fangs. She yelped and stumbled back to find a huge, black-maned lion standing right in front of her. She looked up to see three other dark-maned lions standing atop the wall.

They all looked like Kovu, but darker and more threatening. Each had their bodies tattooed with scars from past battles. A couple of them had torn ears and scarred faces. Claws protrude from their paws. Their very appearance was enough to have Kagome frozen with fear. The oldest one in standing in front of her seemed to be their leader. He lowered his head to Kagome's level and took in her scent in a menacing way.

"Strange creature," the lion said. Kagome swallowed hard. It was loud enough to catch the lions' ears. "Looks like the poor thing wondered far from home, didn't it, boys?" The other lions chuckled eerily as they descend down the wall with one leap and safely landing on four paws. The other three surrounded the trembling girl. Kagome backed up against the boulder where Kopa was hiding. She carefully concealed the cub, afraid of what could happen to him. After all, Simba did explain that foreign lions won't hesitate to kill a cub, let alone harm it.

"What do yo think it is?" one of the lions asked eying every inch of Kagome's face and body. Another approach and placed a huge, clawed paw on her head, forcing her to comply to whichever direction he wanted her to turn her head.

"Doesn't look like any animal we've come across before."

"Must be the 'human' thing the animals have been talking about nowadays."

"Human? What kind of an animal is that?"

"Look at this," one said sweeping a paw in her raven hair. "It's quite a thick mane, but what's this? No tail." He gave her rear a smack, wondering if she had a tail.

"What the heck are you trying to do, perv?!" Kagome shouted.

"Quite the spunk," the oldest lion said. He looked closer into her eyes and pulled back to inspect her from top to bottom. "You must be the one His Majesty was expecting."

'His Majesty? Do they mean Simba? No, there's no way Simba would be affiliated with these guys. And what do they mean 'the one'?' Kagome was really confused.

"You have a name, human?" the oldest lion asked.

"I-it's Kagome," she reluctantly replied.

"Kagome..." the lion said with thoughts about the name itself. It would seem as though there's something going on in his mind about her. Just then, a malicious grin donned his face. "I see..." He turned around to leave, but stopped to motion his head at his comrades. The other three close in on her with foreboding gleams in their greenish eyes.

"Wh-what are you doing?" Kagome backed farther onto the boulder as the lions advanced. There's no means of escaping. The lions has blocked all possible escape routes. One grabbed her by the arm while the other had a grip on her shoulder. "LET ME GO!" Without warning, they tightened their grip and nearly pierced her skin with their sharp fangs. She let out a stifled yell.

"Cooperate, and you won't be harmed," the oldest one warned. The lion force her to stand, but there's no way she was going to let them find out that Kopa is concealed behind her. Much to her dislike, she had to resist. It's either stay and maybe receive some scratches or go and eventually have Kopa get involved. She pulled back some, enough to let the lions know she's not going to be so willing to budge. As soon as she pulled back, she felt fangs threatening to impale her flesh. The other lion walked over and grabbed her by the scarf and viciously jerked her, practically throwing her across the ground. She landed with a thud.

"Start walking, human, or else," one of them threatened. He looked up and saw a little cub trembling in his rocky shelter. "Curious little cub, isn't he?" The lion walked over to the terrified cub and swatted him straight out of his hiding spot. Kopa popped back up and bristled the fur on his back and tried his best to look threatening. The old lion and his comrades let out a mocking laugh as the cub let out a meek roar. "You've got guts, cub, but I'll have you know," the old lion shoved the cub down to the ground and held him with a huge paw decorated with sharpened claws, "inferior cubs need to learn their place."

"Leave him alone!" Kagome pleaded.

"I'm surprise you care for this impulsive cub," the lion said applying more pressure against the cub's frail body.

"If you hurt him, I'll -"

"You'll what? I heard humans are the weakest creature in the world. What can you do?"

'The way he talks is so familiar, kind of like... No way! That can't be possible, but what about the jewel shards?'

The old lion chuckled as he toyed with the cub, batting the poor thing about on the ground. "What are you going to do know?" Again and again the dark lion swatted Kopa back and forth like he's some plaything.

"PLEASE, STOP!" Kagome begged.

Kagome's mind was racing. She can't let the lions do any harm to her little friend, but with two enormous mandibles on her arms, there's no way she can tear from their grips, not without losing a limb or two. Plus, she can't shake the intense feeling of the jewel shards. Is it possible that the lions are the one's possessing them? There's no time to waste on thinking, she has to comply to these lions, otherwise Kopa will...

"I'll go you," Kagome finally said. "Please, just leave him alone." The old lion complied to her wishes. The others turned to leave with Kagome, who looked back at the cub still laying on the ground a little dazed.

Kopa got up and shook the dust from his fur. Seeing his friend walking away, Kopa rushed to her yowling. One of the three younger lions turned and let out a threatening growl. Being brave, Kopa bristled again and growled back.

"KOPA!"

The cub looked up at Kagome. She shook her head, telling him not to do anything. Kopa relaxed and backed off. The lion turned back to his comrades.

"Go home, Kopa," Kagome called back to the cub. Kopa shook his head. "Please, go home." She gave him a smile before the lion gave her a harsh tug to hurry her along. Kopa stayed until Kagome and the lions were gone from sight. Quickly, Kopa rushed back to the Pride Lands. He has to get help; otherwise, well, it's not going to be good is all the cub can't think.


Deeper and deeper into the darkness, the ominous feeling from before and the sensation of the jewel fragments were starting to suffocate Kagome's entire body. The area felt as though there's a demonic aura, one that she has felt before. But she can only keep doubting it for her and pride's sake. Finally, they reached the entrance of a cave. Without hesitating, Kagome let herself be led inside. It was pitch black and the atmosphere felt so damp and utterly uncomfortable. By the feeling of the descent, Kagome can concur they're heading underground. What felt like hours of walking down the path finally ended when a shimmer of light can be seen. Stepping into the eerie green light, Kagome found herself in a huge cave, and the grounds were littered with bones, carcasses, and most visibly, steaming geysers.

"Where is this place?" Kagome finally asked. Her voice echoed across the walls of the cave. She looked up at some of the stoned walls and steps to find more lions. All of them are mostly male, young and old. Their black manes, bright, green eyes and extended claws obviously distinguish them from the lions of the Pride Lands. Other than that, they all had menacing demonic stares. Kagome turned to the old lion who brought her to the cave. "Tell me where I am."

Suddenly, she felt something jerk her from behind, forcing her to sit. Two other lions stand on either side of her, as if to make sure she doesn't try to do anything suspicious.

"Don't worry yourself, human," the old lion said. "Just behave and no harm will come to you."

'Not that it already had.' Kagome thought in rebellion, minding her sore arms. All the lions came down from their perch on top the cliffs and crowded around Kagome as if she's some museum exhibit. This force Kagome to back into the dead-end wall behind her. The lions continue their inspections and investigations of this new creature, constantly sniffing her scent.

"What are you crowding around for?" The lions all turn their attention from a nearly-agitated Kagome (could you blame her?) to a huge dark-skinned lion standing on one of the tallest cliffs. He, too, has a black mane and claws visible from his paws. But this lion seems different. He seems to be Simba's age, a little older, though. But he's more strongly built, considering Kagome can easily see his defined muscles bulging from his body. Unlike all the other lions, this huge one was literally clad in scars from head to toe. Even his full mane seems to have taken a lot of abuse from fights. Among all of them, he's definitely got to be the leader of the pack - er, pride.

"Thimba," the old lion address the large one. The lion, namely Thimba, swooped down from the cliff and landed on all four with the same grace of a house cat. Kagome's eyes widened at the feat. 'That cliff must've been 12 feet high! There's no way a normal lion could come down from that height unharmed.' Thimba strode towards her with calm grace, almost as though he's floating. It sort of reminded Kagome of how Kikyo walked. Suddenly, she felt the pulsation surge of the sacred shards. For some reason as the huge lion advanced towards her, the power of the shards seem to increase. Each step the lion takes, the the spiritual sensation grows, but it's not a pure aura. 'Don't tell me this lion has the shards!' Thimba lowered his head and took a quick whiff of Kagome's scent.

"So you're the new 'human' creature the animals have been talking about," Thimba said lifting his head back and held it up regally.

"What's it to you?" Kagome said, trying to sound brave. Thimba can easily sense the trembling in her voice.

"Don't try to act tough, human," Thimba said, bright green eyes glowing like the fires of hell. "All of you leave us," he commanded the pride without removing his gaze from Kagome. His followers obeyed and slipped into the darkness without so much as a single sound, not even from a small step. "Now that we're alone, let's get down to business."

"Wait a minute here," Kagome finally had the courage to face the towering beast. "It's bad enough your goons forced me to come here, and now you're gonna shove 'business' in my face?! And who the heck do you think are to begin with?!" Suddenly, she felt something heavy and hard slam into her cheek. Next thing she noticed was her body lifting itself from the ground and the wall she was leaning on. She opened her left eye – the other was closed shut, cringing from a blunt yet pounding pain on her right cheek – and found herself on the ground. As a reflex, she grasped her stinging cheek and backed further away from the lion; actually, he was at least 4 feet away from her current position. His eyes were narrowed and his lips were twitching with every growl, threatening to bare his fangs. Thimba strode towards her and stood over his helpless victim. Kagome pulled her hand away from her red cheek and was glad there wasn't a drop of blood. Lucky for her, he only backhanded her.

"If you really must know," he said in a calm demeanor, "my pride and I have been nomads ever since we were two years old." As I was saying," Thimba picked up where he left off, "I've brought you here for one reason and one reason only."

'So you could smack me around like I'm some ball of yarn?' Kagome thought to herself. After that smack, there's no way she'd talk back again. In no time flat, Kagome's other cheek was stinging badly, and this time, she found herself plastered to the wall. Thimba's humongous paw was keeping her there, gulp, with extended claws.

"If that's how you'd rather have it," Thimba said in a deep, grumbling voice, "I wouldn't mind having a 'ball of yarn' to play with."

Kagome's eyes widened in zero second flat. 'How did he know I thought that?! Wait, he can -'

"Read minds?" Thimba finished her thought aloud. Now Kagome has a reason to be frightened. Whatever she thought could be used against her, so she'd hope she can keep her mind clear. "By the way, if you were wondering about earlier, I happen to have something you're interested in." Kagome looked closer at his face and immediately saw a bright, magenta glow. Only one thing can shine like that: a fragment of the Shikon Jewel. "Yes, I do possess the shards of the Sacred Jewel, Kagome."

"Wait, I haven't told you my na -" 'Oh, wait, he can read minds. 'Guess I didn't need to tell him anyway.'

"But you will tell me this," Thimba lowered his enormous muzzle to her eye level, "how I can come to collect more of the shards. Oh, that's right, you'd be able to tell me where the shards are anyway. It's because you can sense them. By the way, I also need to know how I can set foot into the Pride Lands without letting anything warn the Lion King of my arrival."

This is getting too dangerous and way out of control. First of all, Thimba is wanting her to find the jewel shards for his own purposes, which is obviously nothing good. Secondly and most importantly, he wants Kagome to lead him into the Pride Lands and possible overthrow Simba.

"There's no way I'd do either of them for you!" Kagome shouted back. "For all I know, you're connected to Naraku, are you?! You're just another one of his henchmen or incarnation." There's no mistake about it. This whole pride is connected to Naraku one way or another.

"Naraku? That name may ring a bell, but as far as I'm concerned, my loyalties will never lie on a 'despicable demon,'" And yet again, the lion probed her head. "As for you, Kagome, you will assist me whether you like it or not."

"Make me, you overgrown cat!" Kagome isn't afraid of him anymore. This lion is just as devious as Naraku, and there's no way she'd lower herself to working for him to undermine the tranquility of the Pride Lands.

"I thought you'd say that. No, I knew you'd say that." Kagome swallowed hard. Whatever is going to happen won't be good for her. "Kondo, Enzi, Jaali." Thimba called out. In no time short, three huge lions stepped from the shadows from behind their leader. "Kagome here needs to learn how things work around these parts. I'm sure you'll do what you can to teach her." The three smirked, understanding their leader's intentions. Thimba turned to leave but not without telling Kagome one last thing, "Take this into account, Kagome. You'll need it." With that said, the lion walked off into the shadows like a ghost walking into a wall. Kondo, Enzi, and Jaali were left... alone... with Kagome. After Thimba was completely enveloped in darkness, the three lions turned their devilish eyes to Kagome and smirked the most malicious grin ever seen, fangs bared and gleaming.


Simba was pacing laps around Pride Rock. Every lap he would look out into the savanna with anxiety plastered on his face. Kiara walked out of the cave and saw her father walking laps about the place.

"I've known you to be very worried about almost everything, especially when it involved your family. But I'm surprised you'd be worried about Kagome, even if she has been in the pride for only several weeks," Kiara said walking along side the old lion. Nala came out and joined her mate and daughter.

"Come now, Simba," Nala said, "Kagome will be alright. Remember, she's rather strong-spirited."

"And just as tough and stubborn," added Kovu, who just came back from an afternoon patrol of the Pride Lands. "Don't worry, the kid can handle herself."

"Not only Kagome, but I'm worried about Kopa as well," Simba said still keeping his eyes glued to the ground.

"Like I said," Kovu intervened in his father-in-law's path, "Kagome can handle herself, so she'll be able to take care of the cub without any problems." Almost right on cue, Kopa ran straight up from the steps an smack-dab into his mother's leg.

"Kopa!" Kiara rolled the dizzy cub back on his feet. Once he regained his balance, Kopa began 'reowing" and jumping and clawing at his mother's paw. "Kopa, what's wrong?" She looks up. "Where's Kagome?" Kopa continued his hectic attempts to tell his mother something. Finally, Simba and Kovu understand what the cub was leading on to. The two lions sprinted off and flew down the steps and zipped across the plains. 'Kagome, please be alright!'

Ooh, the suspense must be killing ya right now, ain't it? Yeah, I know, the antagonist's name Thimba sounds awkward, but it's a real Swahili name. Here are some name translations.

Thimba - lion hunter

Kondo - war

Enzi - powerful

Jaali - powerful