Twice in a Lifetime: Chapter 9 – Revelations
Disclaimer: I don't own The Lion King, Disney or Kilow.
Authoresses Note: This is the second to last chapter. Sadly this story will be over by the next chapter. Thank you for the reviews. I hope you all enjoy the latest installment.
I woke up to the chirping of the birds. I opened my eyes sleepily and had to blink to protect them from the harsh African sun. Once they had adjusted I slowly got to my feet. Looking around I realized I was at the water hole.
"How did I end up here?" I wondered aloud. I wandered over to the water's edge and took a drink. I noticed my reflection as I was drinking. My mane was a mess and my eyes were bloodshot. Suddenly memories of the previous day came rushing back. My heart started racing as I remembered what I had done.
I backed away from the water hole nervously. I didn't want to see the disappointment in Mufasa's face as I had last night. As I was walking backwards I tripped on a raised root and fell backwards onto my rear. As I sat there I could only hope it was all a dream.
"But it couldn't be a dream. There would be no explanation as to why I was at the waterhole if it were a dream." I thought to myself.
I got up and sighed. This was just awful. I had given into temptation just like I had years ago. The voice of temptation had told me what to do and once again I was too weak to listen. I hung my head sadly.
But as I sat there feeling sorry for myself I realized something. Unlike the last time I was finally thinking for myself. I wasn't letting my anger and hate control me. I raised my head slightly and realized that maybe all wasn't lost.
I looked up to the sky and found the sun was nearing its highest. If the hyena Kuzi had told his ilk than they'd be arriving soon. I made up my mind fast. Jumping up I started racing back to Pride Rock. If I was to set things right this time I'd have to move fast.
I narrowed my eyes in anger at myself. "This time I'm going to tell the truth. Simba has to know everything." I thought to myself. I ran even faster so I'd be able to make it to Simba in time.
I leapt up several rocks in one bound as I made my way up Pride Rock. In no time at all I was at the cave in front of the crag. Wasting no time catching my breath I walked into the cave.
I found Simba playing with Kilow in the cave. He looked up as I walked in and smile.
"Ah Kapil won't you join us?" He asked in a friendly voice.
"Could I err talk to you?" I asked nervously. His smile faded a bit. He turned to Kilow.
"Why don't you go play on top of Pride Rock for a little while? I have to talk to Kapil for a moment." He asked her.
"Sure grandpa." She smiled and nuzzled him. As she walked past me she nuzzled my leg. I smiled weakly but I couldn't bear the guilt that I was feeling. How could I have possibly done something that would've put Kilow of all lions in danger?
"What did you need to talk about?" Simba asked.
I opened my mouth to speak but found I couldn't say anything. Why did I have to freeze up like this every time?
"Well?" He asked, sounding a little impatient.
Finally I found myself able to speak.
"It's just…I heard something yesterday when I was out near the border." I started to confess.
He raised his eyebrows. "Why were you near the border?" He asked curiously.
"It was an accident. I didn't mean to be. I overheard some hyenas talking."
He looked confused. "Hyenas? Why didn't you tell me this yesterday? You know I want to know everything about what those mangy dogs do?"
I sighed. "I know. I was going to, really I was but something happened."
He sighed. "I'm disappointed you didn't tell me this earlier. Now what were they saying?"
"They err were planning. They were planning to take over Pride Rock." I confessed.
He narrowed his eyes. "Kapil!" He said angrily. "How could you not have told me this?! A takeover is a very serious matter! Why would you possibly wait till now to tell me this?" He growled.
"I'm sorry. I can't tell you much about it but all I can tell is something happened. Something that I shouldn't have let happen. You wouldn't understand."
He growled and started pacing the cave.
"So how many hyenas are we talking about?" He finally asked.
"Four." I said.
"Four. Four hyenas are planning on taking over Pride Rock? That's all?" He looked genuinely confused now.
"Well they said they were going to try and gather others but the rest of the pack were leaving to find better living conditions soon."
"Oh well now that you say that I don't see how this is much of a threat. You should have told me yesterday but I also don't see why you're so nervous over it." He was looking into my eyes now as if trying to find the answers.
The guilt was building up. I had never felt so emotionally torn before. My darker past was clashing with my newer side. I used to want this lion's kingdom so bad, it used to be the only thing I lived for. I even attempted to kill him for it. But now, now I had felt what a little bit of happiness was. I had seen the way he ruled and he was much better suited than I was.
Yesterday I had let my darker side rule. Now if I didn't tell Simba everything, the whole truth, the whole pride might suffer. My whole family might suffer. I couldn't let that happen, not now.
"There's something else." I said quietly.
He turned his head towards me.
"What's that?"
"They're coming today at noon. They're coming for you." I said in a hollow voice. His eyes went wide.
"You just told me the pack was moving out." He said confusedly.
"I know but something might've changed their minds." I whispered.
He growled loudly. "Stop beating around the bush! Tell me the truth Kapil!" He shouted angrily.
"I told them that you'd be alone. I found a hyena and tipped him off." I said sadly.
"WHAT?" He roared. Before I had a chance to defend myself he pinned me to the floor. He had his teeth bared at my face.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to. You don't understand Simba. I wouldn't have done it but something came over me." I managed to choke out. He now had his paw on my throat.
"You deliberately placed my pride and I in danger. How could you betray us like that?" He growled angrily.
"A side of me I had hoped would never show itself had resurfaced. It was after revenge for something you did to me. But I see now, in fact I've always seen but never wanted to admit it, you're a much better king than I was or ever could be. I didn't even know what I was going to accomplish by telling the hyenas. It's not like I could suddenly take over by befriending the hyenas. It was only for a personal gain."
"What are you talking about now?" He asked angrily.
"I'm sorry Simba. I'm sorry for everything I did to you. I know you can never forgive me for what I did; in fact I wouldn't even forgive me but I just wanted you to know that I am beyond sorry."
He once again looked confused. I didn't blame him in the least though. He had absolutely no clue about what I was talking about. He had no idea who I actually was. He opened his mouth to reply when a voice was heard from the doorway.
"Aww sorry your majesty. Are we interrupting anything?" A voice cackled from the entrance.
We both turned and saw the outline of several hyenas in the sunlight.
Oh no! We had forgotten all about the time! The sun was at its highest and we didn't even notice. The fact that we were in a cave was partially to blame because we had practically no way of telling the position of the sun.
Simba leapt off me and growled his teeth angrily at the intruders.
"What do you want?" He growled. I picked myself up off the ground. This was going to lead to trouble.
The hyena cackled in their creepy way. "Why nothing. Only you and your pride dead and the hyenas to rule the kingdom that is rightfully ours."
I recognized the speaker as the large male Daiki. He must be the leader. The other hyenas were standing behind him, drooling or growling.
"This is my kingdom. Get out now or else you'll suffer the consequences. I'm giving you one chance to get your allies out of here."
The hyenas were now surrounding us. They had completely enclosed Simba, Daiki and I in a circle.
"And what are you going to do about it? Your lionesses are all out hunting. How are you and your friend going to take all of us?" Daiki taunted.
The hyena Kuzi suddenly spoke up.
"Hey I recognize that lion's scent. He's the one who tipped me off." He said as he sniffed at my leg. I barred my teeth at him and he promptly backed off.
Daiki found this amusing. He started laughing until the entire cave was ringing with eerie hyena laughter.
"Oh Simba you are completely trapped. Your only help is a turncoat lion. What are you going to do now?" He asked.
Simba growled. "I'll fight for my pride. You have no way of getting away with this."
"What about you traitor? Where do you stand? You can fight with us until he's dead. After that we can decide what to do with you." Daiki offered me.
I stood still. I was well aware that the entire cave had its eyes on me. I looked at Daiki and was suddenly strongly tempted to say yes. It seemed the darker side of me was struggling to take over. But I suddenly looked at Simba. He wasn't glaring at me like he had been earlier. I looked into his eyes and suddenly saw the pleading eyes. The very same eyes that had looked up at me when I told him he had killed his father. The same eyes that had been pleading with me to let him live when he was dangling off the cliff during our final battle. I saw the eyes of my nephew, my own flesh and blood and suddenly no kingdom or amount of power could convince to betray him once more.
I snarled at Daiki. "I'll never let you take this kingdom."
He snarled back. "Fine so be it. We'll kill the both of you right here than." He was about to pounce when another voice came from the front of the cave.
"Stop right there!" Everyone looked up to see Nala followed by a large group of lionesses. I suddenly felt relief. I knew now that Simba was going to be safe. I wasn't too concerned about myself. I had already ruined everything I had nothing left at Pride Rock because of my deed and I knew that Mufasa and Ahadi could do nothing for my soul. But it was a relief to know that my nephew could remain here as king, just as he was meant to.
"I thought you said they were out hunting all afternoon!?" Daiki yelled at Kuzi. Kuzi cowered as Daiki shouted.
"Unfortunately for you we were tipped off by a very reliable source." Nala said angrily. She walked into the cave with the lionesses following her.
"Kilow!" I thought in my head. We had forgotten about her. She must've been the one to have gotten the lionesses involved.
Daiki cursed under his breath. They were now the ones at the disadvantage. The lionesses had them practically cornered. I was sure that this would not end peacefully. The hyenas looked murderous but they had not left when Simba had given them their chance. There was going to be a battle. I was sure of it.
"We can still overtake you. We are more powerful than you can possibly imagine." Daiki growled.
"I'm giving you one last chance." Simba said slowly and dangerously. "Get out before I call my Pride to attack you all."
Some hyenas looked happy to take that offer but unfortunately for them Daiki hissed, "Never!"
He started the fight by leaping with his teeth barred at Simba. Simba responded by roaring and charging at Daiki in return. The lionesses and hyenas took that lead to begin the fight and suddenly all heck broke loose.
In a flurry of teeth, claws and fur I could make out Simba battling with Daiki. I knew this was all my fault but I had to do something. I let out a roar of my own and charged at any hyenas that got in my way. I saw Kovu battling two hyenas of his own. He looked like he was struggling so I raced over to try and help him.
"Hey what took you?" He asked as I took over one of the hyenas.
"Sorry, I've been busy." I replied back as I smacked the other hyena in the nose.
"I was hunting with the lionesses today. They needed some help in taking down larger game so I was assisting them a bit. Not like they need much help though. I wonder what possibly brought all this on." He said as he swiped the hyena on the back and made it run out of the cave whimpering.
"It's a very long story." I said quietly. The hyena I was fighting took the lead of Kovu's and ran out.
In fact most of the hyenas were running off, some wearing nasty wounds, with their tails between their legs. However, Daiki and a minor few had remained. The fight was over and I could see no one from our side injured. The remaining hyenas were scattered throughout the cave. They panted and snarled at the lionesses who were keeping a close eye on them.
"This isn't over Simba!" Daiki shouted angrily.
Simba approached him and put his face close to Daiki's.
"I told you to get out of my kingdom and you stay and remain to fight. You defied my orders as king and attempted to murder me. You will not live." He growled.
Daiki could only growl but made no move to protect himself as Simba raised his paw. His claws were unsheathed and everyone seemed to know what was coming. He was going to kill Daiki.
Before he could however I noticed movement from the corner of my eye. The others were too busy watching Simba to notice the hyena lurking behind Simba. He was poised to leap and his teeth were barred.
Without thinking I launched myself forward. Simba turned as I leapt in front of him and saw as the hyena bit down on my upper torso. I roared in pain as the hyena, thinking he was attacking Simba, clawed and bit every thing he could find. I hit the ground as I fell and the hyena landed on top of me. My unprotected underbelly was being attacked and I could feel every blow the hyena was giving me. However I could do nothing to protect myself.
Finally the hyena was knocked off. I was blinded with pain and could only hear the roar of Simba followed by the sound of an animal being hit hard and finally the cry of pain of a hyena.
I managed to open my eyes and see the rest of the hyenas running off with a few lionesses in hot pursuit. I tried to get up but a paw was placed on my head.
"Don't move. Rafiki is coming." I heard Simba say. I could only nod and let my head fall limply.
My entire body was in such pain. My vulnerable underbelly had been attacked. I felt myself growing weaker and weaker as I waited. What was probably only minutes felt like hours when I finally heard Rafiki's footsteps.
"Dis is very bad Simba." I heard him say seriously.
"Can you stop the bleeding?" He asked. I didn't even notice the warn liquid that I could feel covering my body.
"Da wound is much too great. It is impossible I am sorry to say." Rafiki said.
I was dying all over again. I could feel the sensation. The pain was even beginning to dull.
I opened my eyes weakly and saw the worried faces of Simba, Nala, Kovu, Vitani, Kiara, and the other lionesses.
"Thank you Kapil." Simba said gently. I couldn't understand. Why was he thanking me? I had placed the whole pride in danger.
I tried to speak but only blood came out.
I looked to see Kilow walking towards me. I didn't want her to see me like this. I expected her to show some sign of disgust at the blood or wound but she kept on walking until she was at my head.
My vision was becoming a little blurry but I could still see the tears forming in her eyes and felt the gentle nuzzle she gave the top of my head.
"I accept your apology from earlier Kapil. You proved yourself back when you sacrificed yourself for me." I heard Simba say. My vision was becoming very blurry now I felt my entire body going numb. But strangely I felt at peace. I didn't feel the horror or fear of death like I had the first time. I felt comfortable. I knew I was surrounded by my family. Unlike last time, the ones I cared about were right here. Somehow that one fact made it all okay.
With the very last of my strength I purred as loudly as I possibly could. The purring seemed to soothe me and I felt the others nuzzle my head or nudge my face as I drifted off…
But instead of the blank darkness like I had experienced the last time I felt something different. I was surprised to discover I could open my eyes. I blinked and looked around. I was still in the cave with everyone surrounding my body, I could see it all quite clearly...
Wait what?
I looked around once more. I could see everyone with their head bowed in mourning but they were surrounding my body which I could fully see. How was that possible?
I quickly looked down at my paws and found they were a dark brown. The mane that ran up my legs and unto my neck was jet black. That could only mean…
"It's time to face them as yourself Taka." A voice whispered in my ear.
I turned and saw Rafiki standing there. I couldn't believe it. I was in my old body. The others were too deep in mourning to even realize there was a dead lion walking around in the cave.
I suddenly felt cold. "I can't do that. They may have forgiven me as Kapil but not as Scar." I shook my head and backed away. I said this all quietly so they wouldn't hear.
"It's not the body dat matters. It's the soul inside. You're not the same anymore. Scar was the hate consumed lion, Taka was the innocent cub. You are neither anymore. You are Kapil. Despite your appearance dat's what dey will see. You have to just show dem." He said wisely.
I looked at the group. They still hadn't noticed us. Making up my mind I bravely took a step forward. As I walked towards them Simba raised his head and noticed me. We locked eyes as the others one by one looked up and saw me for who I was.
Authoresses Note: There's chapter 9. The very last chapter will be up shortly. Please read and review.
