Her's the next chapter. I start school tomorrow so updates may be rarer, but I hope this ties you over. As always, I own nothing, but Kimaira, any characters not in the movie, and the plot twists Also I changed the name of the story because I realized that all my characters have secrets, hence the "Secrets of a Pride". So I hope that didn't confuse anyone. And I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Shangazi = Aunt
Malkia = Queen
ninahitaji enu busara = I need your wisdom
Now onto the story.
"Shangazi Kimaria, are you okay?" Kiara asks, later that night.
I glance over at her and nod. Guilt swims in my stomach, but I don't say anything. How can I tell her that her great uncle, the great tyrant, is still alive? Who can I tell? A cool evening breeze pushes my thoughts away and I sigh. The other lionesses have begun to eat the evening meal, but I stay away from them. The hunting party has brought back three adult antelopes and two caribous: a true feast. My throat tightens as I watch them, all of them so happy, but I can't seem to join them: first from my depression over my child and now my secret. A secret that may put the whole in danger, but something stops me from blurting it out. I can still see those fierce emerald eyes of the little cub I saved as a child. Will I ever be able to separate the two, the cub vs the cruel tyrant?
For a moment, I glance over and spot the dark lion…Kovu sitting off to the right away from the pride too. None of the other lionesses pay any attention to him though I feel the tension within the cave, untrusting of the outsider. I bite my lip, remembering my own experience as the outsider to the pride when I was younger. Maybe I could at least be nice to him. I try to rack my brain for something to say and then I remember Kiara mentioning her hunting lessons. Slowly, I walk over to Kovu and sit down a foot away from him. The young loin peers over at me, confusion etched onto his face.
I gulp and clear my throat. "So…how was the hunting lesson?"
Kovu seems to relax for a moment. He clearly didn't think I would ask that. Taking a deep breath, he says, "It…it was fine, your majesty."
"And has Kiara improved at all?" I ask.
"Yeah, still a little noise when trying to get close enough to the pray," Kovu says.
"Well I've never been much a huntress myself," I admit, blushing.
Kovu stands up and looks over at the other lionesses. "Forgive me, your majesty"
"It's Kimaria," I say. Despite him being an Outsider, I don't see the need not to be on a first name base with him.
Kovu ignores me and continues. "My Malkia, you are too modest about your skills."
"What do you mean?" I ask, confusion etched onto my face.
Again, Kovu peers over at me and smirks. Without another word, he turns and heads back outside the cave before turning and heading down. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kiara slip away from the pride and follow him. Behind me, I hear whispers of disapproval and shock circling within the group. As an outsider, Kovu has shown disrespect for me, the second queen to the Pride lands, and our princess. Half of the lionesses stare at me as though to say, why has the traitor not been punished? I shiver and wrap my arms around myself. Despite the heat, I'm suddenly cold. Those accusing eyes seem to speak directly to me. With this secret am I a traitor too? How can I possible tell anyone who will believe me? Again, I feel those large animal eyes on me and I quietly excuse myself and slip outside.
Dark clouds cover the sky, blocking out the stars, but my feet seem to know the route by heart. Heat circles around me, but there is an unseen energy in the air and I sense a rainstorm coming. Silence stretches across the savanna with all the animals have gone to sleep. Leaves and dried grass crunch under my feet, I sigh and glance up at the sky. I will the rain to come sooner to wash away the memory of the fire and possibly my own secret.
For s moment, I pause and sigh, tears fighting to escape. It has been less then twelve hours and already I feel like it has been an eternally. My knees buckle beneath me and I collapse onto the ground. How can I keep this secret? Yet, I remember a flicker of emotion in his eyes before I lashed out at him. At the time, my own fury overwhelmed my senses, but now I remember it. The emotion of sorrow had been hidden just before the surface of his eyes. Sorrow for what I can't say, but it had something to do with my son. Taking a deep breath, I push myself up and continue to walk, knowing my feet will lead me.
After a few minutes, I blink and hear the sound of rushing water. A tiny smile forms on my lips, but my stomach twists in knots. This river, where Zazu and I become friends, is now the place of my biggest secret and fear. What if Scar crosses the river? Will I be able to keep my threat of offering him no protection? I feel a million questions race through my mind, but no solid answers appear. Once more, I glance up at the sky and imagine the stars.
"Mufasa, ninahitaji enu busara," I say, collapsing on my knees in prayer.
I keep repeating the pray until my voice seems to run dry. No one answers and I begin to pray to my human parents, but they are just as silent. Tears roll down my face and I bend down in defeat, the discovery of Taka and the secret weighing on me until my heart can barely beat. I feel a bunch of feathers brush against my arm and glance up, my vision blurred from my tears. Yet, I know who it is.
"What…what is it?" I ask, my throat raw red.
Zazu looks at me and keeps his wing pressed against my arm. "Madam…Kimaria…what's something wrong?" He asks.
What isn't wrong? I close my eyes and force the rest my tears down. My fingers curl around dirt as I push myself up and stare down at the bird. Taking a deep breath, I ask, "Zazu…how did you find me?"
Zazu blinks and looks up at me. "I…I can always find you, Kimaria."
I blink, my eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "Why the change?"
'What do you mean?"
"Zazu…since I came back the pride you have always talked me with a royal title. Do you…" I look beyond him, across the bank as though I'm addresses two. "Do…you know how much that hurt? That…I wasn't your little Kimaria." Or your little Kimmy. "But now you've come here and seem to expect things to return to normal." I look back down at Zazu. "What has changed, Zazu?"
For a moment, silence passes between us. Each second seems to last forever and I feel my heart skip a beat as I glance over across the river again. Am I talking to both Zazu and Scar? How can I be two or three different people at once? What does everyone expect from me? Zazu's voice brings me back to reality.
"Kimaira…I…I'm sorry. It's just my upbringing and I was taught to respect the royal family with formal titles and stuff," He says quietly.
"But you knew me before I become queen. We…we saw…" My heart catches in my throat as an image of Mufasa sweeps through my mind. I want to say something else, but Zazu interrupts me.
"I know…it's just…it is an insult to not show respect the royal family. And…Simba…" His voice trails off uneasily.
"What about Simba?" I ask, my own curiosity peeking.
"It's…nothing," He says quietly.
"Zazu?"
"Forget it, Kimaria. It's really nothing, but…" He seems to look around and then fly up until our eyes lock. "Just know that…I didn't go along with it."
I open my mouth, but he lowers himself back onto the ground. Something in his voice reminds me of Scar's own confusion when I mentioned that Zira had killed my son. It seems like everyone has their own secrets and I need to find them out. Beside me, I feel Zazu place his wing against my leg. I bite my lip and look back down at him. "Zazu…what do you mean?" I ask softly.
The hornbill says nothing, but flies back off the ground. He starts to fly back east, but then turns to me. "We should go, the Pride will be worried about you."
"I'll be there in a few minutes-"
"It's not safe for you out here. What if the Outsiders attack?" Zazu asks, fear lacing his voice.
I glance back over across the river as though I feel Scar's eyes watching me. A tiny smile forms on my lips, but my heart begins to beat faster. Without looking at him, I say, "Don't worry, Zazu. I'll be fine. Good night."
"Kimaria?"
"I'll be fine," I say glancing over my shoulder to look at him. I force a smile and repeat, "Good night, Zazu."
Knowing he can't argue, he sighs and bows, whispering a good night to me. I listen and wait until I can't hear the flap of wings anymore. I sigh, still uncertain about my friendship with Zazu. Every time it seems to be getting better, I ruin it.
Yet, something about Zazu words roll around in my head. "I didn't go along with it."
Along with what? Nothing makes sense anymore and yet somehow I feel the only one to give any answers lies across the river. The rushing water seems to pound in my ears as I stare down into the darkness. It seems like an abyss, but I have to have faith. Once more, I look up at the sky, a few clouds have parted. A few stars twinkle against the sky and I feel Mufasa and my parents giving me strength. I take a deep breath and jump into the river. It feels like ice as I try to swim across, the current pushing me down the river. I keep pushing against it and make it to the other bank in ten minutes.
My fingers dig into the dirt as I pull myself up out of the water. Chills run down my spine while goosebumps run along my arms. I cough and shake my head, trying to dry myself off. My cloths cling to my body, but their warmth has disappeared. After a moment, I collapse onto the ground, my breathing heavy as I stare up at the mountains. Why did I do that? What am I hoping to find out? My thoughts keep racing, but none of my questions get answered. A rustling in the bushes brings me back and I jump me, my eyes squinting against the darkness. Bright emerald eyes flash against the darkness, but I don't let my guard down. Scar steps out and looks at me, a tiny smiling seems to form on his lips.
"What a pleasant surprise, Kimmy," He says.
I growl and say, "Knock it off, Scar."
Taking aback, he says, "Have I done something wrong?"
I shake my head and sigh. Running my fingers through my hair, I say, "I just need any answer to a question."
"Oh and what is that question my queen?" He asks, mocking a bow to me.
More shivers run through my body, but I ignore them. I press my lips together and look away from him. "I…I need to know….did you know?"
"Know what?" He asks.
I grit my teeth in annoyance. Why must he play these word games and not give direct answers. At least with Rafiki, I know he makes no sense, but with Scar, it's something else. It seems like he is hiding something himself. My fingers curl into fists and I sigh. Is everyone keeping secrets from each other?
Suddenly, I feel my breath knocked out of me as my body crashes against the ground. My head throbs and I feel blood run down my arms; those emerald eyes bearing into me. I cry out, but my throat is too dry. After a moment, he releases me and jumps back. I lay on the ground, my breathing slow as the shock of the attack starts to fade. I stare up at the large mountains which block the sky. Silence stretches between us and I wonder if he has left. I roll onto my side and see him licking the blood off his paws.
"Kwa nini?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Scar turns away and begins to walk down to the river. Gradually, I push myself, my hands surrounded in a pool of blood. My stomach twists into tight knots as I smell it and I shake my head. Somehow, I manage to pull myself to the river and dip my arms into the cold water. The water burns my cuts and I bite my lip to keep from crying out. Despite the darkness, I can imagine the blood mixing with the water, like the blood of so many innocent cubs. Innocent cubs, Scar had killed during his first day as king. I shiver remembering the mournful cries of the lionesses. Yet, why did Scar attack me? I remember my words to Zazu assuring him I would be fine, but am I? The sudden attack still has me rattled and I shiver. For a moment, I glance over at the dark lion, but he doesn't look at me. Is he planning another attack?
Oh Great Kings keep me safe, I pray, despite not being able to see the stars.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see movement and I pull my arms out and stand, getting ready to defend myself. Yet, Scar doesn't move, but looks over at me. For a moment, both of us just stare at each other. Only the rushing water breaks the tense silence between us. My knees buckle from under me and I collapse onto the ground, the blood loss affecting me more than I can admit.
"Kim, are you all right?" Scar asks, standing up and ready to come to my side.
"No," I say, glaring at him. "I'm not all right. Why did you attack me? Is it some plan to get back into the Pride lands?"
Scar shakes his head.
"Are Zira and the Outsiders planning a surprise attack?" I ask.
Again, he shakes his head. "I don't know about the last one. But…" He takes a small step toward me. "I didn't mean to attack."
I raise my eyebrows and he chuckles. "Oh come now, Kimmy, surely you know how strong animal instinct is."
I bite my lip, but nod. "But…why did you stop attacking me?"
His emerald eyes soften slightly and he walks over at me. "I could never…." He takes a deep breath and looks out to the water. "I…could never hurt…. Abdalla's mother."
My heart skips two beats. Is he playing some sick joke one me? He has to be lying. How does he know my child's name…unless? I shake my head; it hurts too much to think of it. After a moment, Scar begins to walk over to me. I try to move, but his eyes lock with mine and I can't look away. My eyes scream that he must be lying, but he shakes his head. "Kimaria…your son is alive."
DUN! DUN! Oh you got to love thos cliff hangers. I promise I'll post more when I have the chance. Please review. What did you think of the interaction between Zazu and Kim? What about the interaction/ attck between Kim and Scar? Please let me know and I will update soon.
