It had been a month or so since the news had been spread, and Vitani was beginning to show, her belly more rounded than usual. Nala had stopped letting her go on hunts which aggravated her, but Kiara was allowed to stay behind and together they talked. Boga had also been supportive, and often asked Vitani questions, brought her the best bits of meat and even moss soaked in water if she thought her friend might get thirsty; but of course she had a reason. Vitani knew that Boga loved cubs, and remembered when they were young how she'd always visit the birthing cave. She was pretty sure Boga had plans with Babu to conceive sooner or later...
As Vitani lay thinking to herself, sunning her belly, Kopa plodded over to her, licking gently at her abdomen before lying beside her.
"Hey Tani" Kopa looked lovingly into her eyes, and she smiled back. "How are you doing this morning?"
"Just fine, Kopes" She licked her mate's cheek, and then smiled up at him. He was always checking in on her; the perfect family figure.
"You know all you have to do is say, if you're not..."
"I know!" She laughed and put her paw on his. "I'll tell you if I don't feel well, ok? Now, fancy a walk around the pridelands. I'm bored to death out here!"
He laughed at her, then sighed and pulled himself up. "I can't, father and I are going to patrol the borders, what with the hyenas still skulking in the outlands, maybe tomorrow?" Vitani nodded, only slightly disappointed he couldn't join her. She'd find some way to amuse herself. She stood and licked his nose, then plodded up to the sleeping cave. During the day, the only people in there were the older females; maybe they'd be of some entertainment?
Vitani walked in and immediately knew something was wrong. Sarafina and another female, known as Masara were huddled around a figure on the floor in one corner. Vitani recognised the ear rims and olive-y fur... "Sarabi!" She rushed over, to find the old queen lifeless on the floor. Sarafina had tears streaming down her cheeks, her mouth slightly open in shock, and Masara was checking the temperature of her old friend. She shook her head.
"I'm not quite sure what happened, but she was saying she felt rather tired; now she's passed out..." Vitani turned to the exit, about to rush for help when Kiara appeared there.
"Gran'ma?" She looked at Vitani, who hoped her face was an expression of the sadness she felt inside. "I'll run for Rafiki" And with that the younger female rushed out of the cave; Vitani watched her go.
Over the past month, Kiara really had grown into a young lady; she'd even grown taller than her. She watched the strength in the princess's muscles as she powered away from pride rock. Why couldn't Vitani have a more royal look about her?
It wasn't long till Kiara returned, Rafiki riding on her back to save him time. He jumped down and pushed past the two elders to see Sarabi's limp body. Vitani turned to the now panting Kiara.
"Do you think we should call in your family?" Kiara nodded, and went out the cave once more, smiling back at her. Vitani returned her attentions to the work of the shaman who had a worried expression on his face. He rubbed some sort of liquid across Sarabi's forehead, which caused her to stir, then drizzled a second concoction into her mouth. This seemed to give her strength, and she blinked up at the baboon.
"It's time, isn't it?" Rafiki slowly nodded and Vitani was sure she spotted a tear drop to the floor of the cave they stood in. "Then might someone fetch my son, and his family?"
"Kiara's gone to get them." Vitani spoke for the first time, causing the old queen to lift her head. The weakness in her eyes caused grief to strike through Vitani; she was dying, and she knew it. Vitani's eyes welled up with the thought of it, and she rushed to lie beside her.
"Hush, my dear" Even in her final moments she spoke strongly. "All will be well with you..."
"Who will I turn to once you're gone?" Vitani muttered the words, water streaming down her cheeks now. There was despair in her voice; Sarabi was someone she would always confide in.
"You'll always have Saf, and I'm not gone. I'll just be above you instead of beside..." She smiled, and the sparkle in her eyes were like stars; she'd soon be with the kings once more...
"Mother!" Simba's worried voice came from the cave entrance. Vitani watched him enter with Nala, Kiara and Kopa close behind. She stood up to go stand with her mate, and Sarafina & Masara backed away as well, knowing they'd had their friend for long enough.
"Simba, my son..." Sarabi's voice was beginning to fade now. "I'm afraid it's the end of my time in this world..."
"No mother, please" The king was now crouched beside her, his voiced filled with desperation. Vitani had never heard him this way, and it saddened her. "Don't leave me..." Nala touched his shoulder gently with her muzzle, and he sat up beside her, looking down through the tears at his regal mother.
Kopa and Kiara moved forward together. The female leant down and licked her grandmother's forehead. "May peace be with you as you pass..." She sniffed, and then turned to bury her head in her own mother's fur. Kopa was stronger than his sister, he bowed his head to Sarabi and she kissed his cheek gently.
"Care for your mate, my love," Sarabi spoke softly. "She's going to go through difficult times, and you must help her to do so." Kopa nodded, and placed his paw on her shoulder. As he did so, her eyes flickered shut and her deep breaths stopped altogether.
Vitani jumped as a mournful roar filled the cave. After he'd held it for a few seconds, Simba collapsed onto the floor, his muzzle buried in his mother's fur. His sobs racked his entire body; obviously nobody had seen him like this, even the queen. No one quite knew how to react; Nala stood by her daughter, turning away from the cries of her mate as tears welled up in her eyes. Sarafina came to sit beside her daughter, resting her head on the opposite shoulder to Kiara. Kopa went over to Masara and comforted the elder, who wept silently over her friend's death. Vitani knew what she had to do.
She approached Simba, and lay next to him. She laid a paw on his which still shook with the grief. The usually strong lion looked up at her; Vitani saw nothing but a cloud of hurt blocking out anything else. He managed a feeble smile of gratitude before dropping his head once more into the dead lioness's body. Viani stayed there with him while he let out all his emotions; all others left them, Kopa licking her tenderly before his exit.
After what seemed like a lifetime of solid crying into his mother's pelt, Simba finally lifted his head to reveal pink eyes. Vitani watched him as he groomed Sarabi's fur for the last time; he whispered in her ear before he sat once more. Vitani pulled herself up next to him.
"She's not gone yet, Simba. Her spirit will dwell here, I think I can feel it" Vitani truly believed the old queen was still here. "She won't want to leave you until she knows you'll be ok..." Though she knew it sounded stupid, she somehow just knew it was true; Simba nodded solemnly.
"I can't do this... I can't let her go..." He sighed. Vitani knew how he felt; she hadn't even known her parents. He felt lonely now...
"You aren't alone, you know. You have your family; you have your pride..." She put his paw on his once more. "You'll soon have your grandchild. If you make her stay, she'll be alone. You need to let her go; she has to go to the stars... She belongs there now." Vitani waited as Simba thought about what she said, and then he lifted his head and spoke out to the cave.
"Go to father, and watch from the stars. I'll join you one day, but I haven't finished here. We will meet again..." As he spoke this, Sarabi's scent filled the air.
Within a moment, it had vanished and the cave was left with an earthy smell mixed with the salty tang of tears. Simba turned to Vitani, a look of relief on his face.
"She's hone to where she belongs..." He looked out of the entrance to the sky. "Let's just hope she's happy there." Vitani nodded, and together the unusual pair stared at the sky, willing Sarabi to find peace, at last...