Chapter 9: Getting Help
Several months later
"It's crazy," Namaka said to himself as he waited for Nala to say goodbye to the other lionesses.
They were all gathered well away from Pride Rock and had just come up with the plan of sending a lone lioness out to search for help. The situation had become so desperate…the Pridelands were seeking outside help for the first time in over 20 generations. The plan had been suggested by Sarabi, and she had offered to go herself, but the other lionesses said they needed her there; she was the very foundation that held the lionesses together. Zuri was the second choice, she was the second strongest lioness, but she had just given birth to her and Namaka's cub, so the next choice was Nala (it was not much of a choice, she had volunteered right after the others had convinced Sarabi to stay). The others agreed, Sarafina did not protest; she had great confidence in her daughter. The only lion that showed no faith in Nala (or the whole plan for that matter) was Namaka. The only two who knew Namaka more than anyone else, where Sarabi and Zuri and ever since he had reached maturity, they found that he had developed a 'no hope' attitude and no one liked that much; he was always trying to convince them that their plans were a complete waste of time. Sarabi and Zuri had also noticed a more sinister change in his character; he had developed a very short temper, one of them would sometimes catch him having conversations with someone neither of them could see and most scary of all; his blue eyes would sometimes change to a shade of red and his voice would change…as if it were someone else.
Right now, however, their focus were on seeing Nala safely to the border, that was Namaka's job, he knew the lands better than they did, due to his constant strolls through the Pridelands, and his rank at Pride Rock, "I'm not doing it," he said.
'Great, show these lionesses whose boss' said the voice in Namaka's head.
"Why not, Namaka?" asked Sarabi, stepping out from the group of lionesses.
"Because this plan is idiotic," said Namaka, "You'll die within two days."
"It's better to die out there, than here," said Nala.
"You're melting my heart," said Namaka, sarcastically.
"Namaka!" exclaimed Sarabi, sternly.
"Sarabi," said Namaka, "I'm not a cub anymore, I'll talk and act the way I see fit," and with that he left the group.
"Don't worry," Zuri said to the group, "I'll talk to him."
Zuri followed Namaka, despite his dramatic change in character, she still loved him very much, "Namaka!"
Namaka stopped and turned around, "Yes, Zuri?" he asked as she nuzzled him lovingly.
"Please help Nala," she said.
"Not you too, Zuri," he sighed.
"I have faith in her," said Zuri, "I believe she can bring help to us all."
'Don't listen to her.'
"Okay," said Namaka, Zuri was the one lioness he could never say 'no' to.
'Why? Why? Why? Why?'
Namaka tried his best to ignore the voice in his head…as he and Jefule knew, Zuri was the only one who could convince Namaka to ignore Jefule, but Namaka felt Jefule's hold growing stronger.
