10 - Home, bitter home
They came to the outskirts of Outlands short before sunset. Scene was looking both fascinating and terrifying – giants termite mounds were illuminated by red light of dying day. Silent was almost piercing eyes and only sound here was creping noise made by insects. Suddenly Vitani ran to nearest mound and climbed on it with jolly laughter.
"Stars! I haven't done this since cubhood!" she said from top. And added quietly. "To bad, you are not with me, Nuka. We would be free from this war and had time for such a twaddle..."
"Come down! You'll fall!" screamed Sarabi in fear.
"Well... exactly the same my mother used to tell me for all this years." Replied lioness with strange smile on her face. But she slid down and returned to friends. "I don't know what do you wish to do here. I must go to our Golden Hall and be alone with my mother and brother, but not now. About midnight."
"Do you show us your home?" asked Tanabi.
"Of course, come with me."
They started through dead area. Tanabi was looking on young lioness with amaze. She was back in her old home, but also in place where she had been suffering hardship for long years. In spite of that, she seemed to enjoy view of this desert. In one moment she turned from serious lioness to merry cub. She stopped few times just to catch some flying termites or to climb on mound known to her. And last, but not lest, she was proud to show Outlands to visitors.
"This is the Red River... I know, that there is no water now, but is seasonal torrent. Now, in dry season, only sources in caves... there and there..." she showed entrances to dens. "...have some water. For all our pride it was dramatically small, but for three lions it will last forever."
"My child." Noticed Sarabi. "You act like ruler of this land. Should we call you queen?"
"Grandma... stop that. It's unkind."
"No, Tanabi..." said young lioness. "It's my home, whatever it looks. I love it... It hard to love such a desert, but I do." She pointed on the biggest mound in vicinity. "This was our keep. We called this Golden Hall. Come closer."
They came to dead termite's built and stepped in. Inside there was quite big hall, in red light of fading sun, that was sipping into, it really seemed to be golden. In centre of the room, there was dead tree trunk-cut, looking like some kind of throne.
"Look." She pointed there. "Kovu used to sleep on it... and I too, if I was good. We called it golden throne." She came closer and tried to climb on it. However, she was far too big to maintain balance on it.
"May I help you, ma'am?" asked Tanabi playfully and upheld Vitani's side with his head. "Now... you are on your throne, Queen of Termite Mound!"
"Very funny, Lord of the Green Den!" replied lioness, but in fact, it was funny. Both lions burst in laughter and Vitani felt from trunk right on Tanabi.
"So what now, your majesties?" asked Sarabi.
"Come after me. There are lots of wonders to see here." Replied Vitani and left the Golden Hall.
\/\/\/
"What? They were heading to Outlands!" amazed Kovu. "With lady Sarabi? Are you sure, Zazu?"
Bird shocked his feathers, miffed.
"Sir, I'm not SO old yet!"
"Sorry, Zazu... but..." he wondered for a while. "I must go there and find out what is going on. Bring here Kiara... and two lionesses. I might need some assistance."
"Yes, sir." Replied hornbill and flew away.
\/\/\/
In the centre of Outlands was small valley, surrounded by rugged rock-walls. Its ledges looked like seats or tribunes of amphitheatre. Down there was plateaux, that Vitani pointed.
"There was the place where my mother has been speaking to all the pride. We gathered here, each time there was need to discus some hard matter. Of course, my mother was unquestioned leader, but she liked to know spirit of lionesses. And from there, she was telling us... tales." She almost said history, but she refrained. "She didn't lie." Thought lioness. "But she also didn't tell us whole truth. I cant name it neither truth nor lie." She added loud to friends. "Shall we go down there?"
But in that moment, she lost her balance and felt from ledge. Vitani flew to lower cliff and landed awkwardly, hitting with head to rock. So once again she lost balance and slide down from slope.
"Vitani!" screamed Tanabi in fear, watching lioness motionless on plateaux down there. He jumped on lower ledge, that to another, down there. After minute, he was on bottom of valley. "Vitani, how are you?"
But she was lying unconscious on rock. Lion ran to her and checked her breathing.
"What happened? What's with her?" called Sarabi from edge of rock above them.
"She's alive, grandma." Replied Tanabi. "But she is stunned and have some cuts on paws... Wait..." he was examining Vitani carefully. "I don't see any fractures, but I'm not sure."
"My dear, how could I help you? I might have some problems with way down to you."
"No, stay, where you are." Answered lion. "Or wait... We have to find some water and try do wake her. Do you see something for vessel?"
Tanabi carefully set Vitani's body in more comfortable position and started to climb up. After few minutes he came to his grandmother.
"Any ideas?"
"Skulls?" proposed lioness.
"Better that vessel than none." Agreed Tanabi and grabbed one of the old, zebra skulls in his jaw. Sarabi made the same and then they went to cave-source.
\/\/\/
Meanwhile Vitani was lying unconscious, but also awaken as never had in her life. She opened her eyes, stood and... noticed, that her body was still motionless on the ground.
"Am I dead?" she whispered without fear, maybe with some curious tune in her voice.
"Not yet. Just scratches and head-ache-to-be." Replied some voice from behind her. She turned her spectral head to see the slurred silhouette of young and light-built lion, with thin and short dark mane. "Welcome back in home, sis."
"Nuka? How it could be?"
"Somehow it could. Just listen to me, we have not much time." Voice of her dead brother was both well known and new in some way. Ghost of Nuka was talking unusual calm and serious, compared to his cubbish appearance before death. He also changed his look – was still light-built and skinny but his silhouette gained some dignity, unknown earlier. His, once always dusty, fur then was shining in unnatural way. His face had expression of both: new mysterious solemnity and old, well known unpredictable sense of humour.
"But... you are dead!" yelled Vitani. "Are you sure, I'm not dead too?" she added quietly. "Sometimes, I wish to."
"As I said, you're alive and except those minor injuries, going quite well. I'm taking care about that all the time."
"Are you... with me all the time?" whispered amazed lioness.
"We all are." Replied her brother. "Mother and father are on the sky, higher and more distant, but they think about you every day... and watching you so. They asked me to watch your back in those days... until you decide."
"Mother? Father... Nuka, please, tell them, I'm sorry. I failed them, but I regret that with all my heart! I..."
"Calm down, sis. They are on sky, up there. They can see you, even know you better, than you know." He raised his paw and pointed his heart. "They are up there, but the same time, inside of you. We are one, Vitani. Remember it."
"Are they angry on me?" asked lioness with fear.
"Mother, yes... a little. But she also regrets that she hasn't managed to show, how she always loves you. Father hasn't forgive you, because he think, that you've done nothing wrong. In fact, he is grateful, that you didn't allowed to fight and deaths in the pride."
"And you?"
"I'm sorry too. I was not the best brother in the world."
"Don't you hold any grudge, that I ruined mother's dreams, that you shared?"
"If you forgive my harsh behaviour, I won't. And..." he smiled. "...you haven't ruined them yet. Or, this is not proper word... You haven't decided, if you going to fulfil it. You are about to choose your path. We won't interfere, it must be your will to claim parents heritage or leave it in name of peace."
"Kovu!" yelled Vitani. "What about Kovu?"
"Well... I guess he's fine." Replied ghost.
"But are you... all of you... angry on him? What mother says?"
"Mother is not angry. She is just... sad that Kovu forgot us so fast and disowned his own heritage. But she also knew that is her fault, in some way. And dad... well, you know, that Scar wasn't Kovu father, but he always loves him, as son of our mother."
"Father... what he says? Has he any message to me?" asked Vitani with emotion.
"Just that one, he loves you. All other knowledge you have inside. From point of eternity, he looking on his life, on your life and all the word different. He dealt with Mufasa downthere and also he reconcile with him upthere, but I can't speak about that too much. He is no hungry for revenge for his death, as well as mother isn't. You can forgive hyenas, you can forgive Simba, if you wish to. Parents have done it already... O, one thing more. Father asked me to forward that he holds no grudge against Sarabi. He said, that once he truly loved her and she hurt him deeply, but it meant to be, it was necessary for ours parents love. Tell her that, all right?"
"Yes, Nuka."
"But however you're free to forgive, you can't forget. You must always remember, that you are daughter of Zira and Scar... and you are rightful heir to Prideland's throne."
"Nuka, should I fight for it?"
"Decide yourself. But if you choose not to, you still have to defend good name of your family. You must spread the truth about Scar and Zira and times of their reign."
"Trust me, I will!" confirmed Vitani with serious voice. "Wait, where are you going?" yelled, when Nuka's silhouette started to blurring in air.
"I'm not going anywhere, I'll be always near. You just can't see me all the time. I love you, Vitani. We are one." Shape of lion dispelled in evening darkness. Then she felt some moisture on her face. In one moment, she was again lying on rock and her head seemed to blowing up with pain. She saw Tanabi, licking her forehead.
"It's no use." Muttered he. "I must go for more water."
"No, you're doing well." Whispered Vitani with weak voice. "And it's quite pleasant..."
"Oh, Stars! At last!" shouted lion. "I thought it's quite bad with you. What hurts you?"
"I don't know... everything?" replied, trying to stand.
"Wait, lay low. I just..."
"No, I'm kidding. I'm fine... at least, I'm going as well as I could after that trip." She looked on slope of valley and tottered. Tanabi propped her with his head. "All right, let rest for a moment."
"Grandma! She's almost all right." Called lion. "We'll get to you, when we'll be able."
"Great!" laughed Vitani. "You supposed to be babysitter for lady Sarabi. But she is doing quite well and I need some special treatment."
"I don't want to sound rude, but I prefer to treat you." Said Tanabi with gallant smile. She playfully nudged him and dragged his head with paw.
"Thank you, my private babysitter!" she licked his forehead gently and let him loose.
"I'm honoured." Said embarrassed Tanabi, but then both lions burst in laughter.
"Me too, your majesty..." she replied. But she calmed down at once. "Sorry, about that."
"No, I was quite pleasant. Better than water, I guess."
She looked on him and silent felt to plateaux. Lions were gazing in each other's eyes, full of questions and doubts. "Is she really interested in me? Does she see in me someone other that cubbish prince, silly kid? Is she the first person in my life, that treat me serious? Stars, let it be!" thought Tanabi, gazing in her beautiful, blue eyes. "No, whatever you feel, you can't!" muttered Vitani in mind. "You can't do this to him... Oh, Tanabi, why we are, who we are. It's making things so hard."
Tanabi carefully came closer to Vitani and gentle licked her forehead. She was paralysed under this kiss, fighting herself not to shock lion off.
"Tanabi, please... no!" she whispered.
"Why... I'm not in your kind, aren't I?" replied lion with grave voice.
"No... Tanabi, you are what I could only dream of, but..." Tanabi didn't let her finish.
He silenced her with another kiss, long lick on her lips. They both surrendered to this cares and remained united for minute. Then she turned her head and said quietly.
"Sorry, Tanabi, but nothing good will come from this. Wish I would, with all my heart, but it won't. Not with me... I'm who I'm." she stood and slowly stepped few steps. Cuts were not bleeding any more and she seemed to overcome shock and pain. Lion was gazing at her with just one thought in head. "She is beautiful."
"I love you, for that who you are." Said Tanabi.
"You're saying that now. But in future, I must do everything, that you won't hate me."
"What?" amazed lion.
"Please, don't ask me more. I don't want to... hurt you."
"It's because of your family?" asked Tanabi. "You can't love... can't be even friend of yours enemy? Right?"
"Please, don't..."
"You despise me, because I'm son of Simba?" asked lion with breaking voice.
"I can't love you, because I'm daughter of Scar." She replied. "You may think, you are talking with Vitani. But this is not whole truth. You're talking with child of Zira and Scar."
"I'm not responsible for what my father and grandfather did!" he said desperate. "I'm Tanabi! I can't whole my life ruled by deeds and wants of others. And you want it? Please, I'll forget, who I'm if you do the same."
In some shade behind Tanabi, lioness saw some shape. It might be Nuka or maybe some other spirit. But friendly spirit – she heard some soft voice in her head. "Don't sacrifice yourself in other's cause. It's your life and you can decide, what it will be." "But I want to be, who I am!" She replied in mind. "So that is your will. You must want it for yourself, not for anyone. You are my daughter, not me!" "Father?" "I wish you to be happy. But that is only my want. Choose, what you want."
"Tanabi." She said with voice full of emotion. "You will understand it yourself. I want to challenge Simba." Eyes of lion dilated.
"Do you hate him?" asked.
"No, but he hates my parents. I must fight for their memory. I don't want the throne, but I must to prove, that it's rightfully mine... That my father was a king! I betrayed my parents and I must to atone it. And you must try to stop me, in anyway you can!"
"I must!" whispered Tanabi and pounced on lioness.
"We want" song. Growing tune of suspend, Vitani and Tanabi are looking like they are wrestling in fight, but suddenly, they bursts in merry laughter and hug to each other. Tune becomes romantic. Motion of Tanabi, staying over lying Vitani
Tanabi:
Turning his head somewhere upthere, but Vitani's paw turned him in her direction and drags him down, below the capture.
I want to forget all the world
If this is the world where you are not
Dust that they made during "fight" is ascending and cover all, where Tanabi was looking.
I want to throw out all I'm told
If even one word makes you sad
Vitani throw Tanabi with her paws to nearest ledge, stands and comes to him.
Rebuild a scheme, I want you in
Be written into my life's fate
She slips and starts to slide down, but Tanabi catches her wit paws, at the edge. They looks like Scar and Mufasa in famous scene, but Tanabi lowers his head and lick Vitani's face. She jumps up.
We'll see the peak that no one seen
Cause everyone thought is too great.
But:
Both:
They are jumping from ledge to ledge in playful race.
Whatever walls between us stand
We'll take them down with just two words:
Some small termite mound is on lion's way. Tanabi (he is heading) hits it with paw, destroying top.
"I want" / "I want" (Vitani/Tanabi) It means we can
Be who we wish, with whom we want
They are on upper edge of valley, the running into Golden Hall
With whom we want /The way we are (Vitani/Tanabi)
To never stop/ All days around (Vitani/Tanabi)
Stays in centre of hall and looks up, to see beam of moonlight, shinning from hole in roof.
To hear the sound / From skies afar (Vitani/Tanabi)
"Let this wall fall down"
Vitani:
They comes closer to "Golden Throne", this time Vitani helps Tanabi climb on it. Lion sits awkwardly, lying on it on back.
I won't choose between two ways
I want to go straight path
Suddenly, Vitani jumps on Tanabi and sit on him with smile on her face. Tanabi raises his paw, extends his claws and pretends, that it's Vitani's crown.
I wish to spend time that remains
For me with you in endless love
She catches his tail and raises it, like a sceptre. They jumps off the throne.
Whatever then has happened here
The future's still unknown
They climbs on Golden Hall's mound
So step with me this way uphill
We'll take this peak we're looking for
Reaching peak of it and looks on stars on sky.
Both:
Whatever walls between us stand
There just a walls, no more
Capture of sky and Tanabi's paw, pointing it. After a while, Vitani's paw joins and they grabs each other.
"I want" / "I want" (Vitani/Tanabi) It means we can
To crush them like we have before
Sliding down from mound. In moonlight, dusk they make is looking like golden dust.
Be who we wish, / with whom we want (Vitani/Tanabi)
The way we are and will
Once again, they starts their "fight", laughing aloud
To never stop / All days around (Vitani/Tanabi)
Together take this hill
Capture of Sarabi, watching this scene from distance (some other mound)
Music stops.
"So... what do you think about that, Mufasa?" Sarabi turned her eyes to stars and asked. "I hope this will success. The harmony, at last. No banished ones, no bloodshed. Just ultimate reunion. I hope." Stars were silent, but old lioness felt like someone was listening to her. "Scar? Does it make you rest? Your daughter will get all, what we stole from you... except of... the throne..." she once again looked on hugging lion. "That one, I'm sorry, she can't get. Simba has his rights too."
Wind blew above Outlands, causing few dust-cloud nearby, but Sarabi didn't notice it. Right after a call sounded from downthere.
"Where are you, grandma?" asked Tanabi.
"Here." She replied. "I'm going to you."
Queen-mother went down to pair. Vitani slightly bow her head under sight of Sarabi, but Tanabi nudged young lioness and said with smile.
"Grandma, I wish to tell you something important... what might to gladden you..." he added quiet. "...according to your recent behaviour." He licked Vitani's cheek.
"Great, but I knew it long ago..." she replied.
"Yes, you gave us to notice." Said young lioness. Three lions burst in laughter. Suddenly, Vitani's eyes narrowed and she calmed down at once. "But now... I must do, what for I came here."
"Yes, my dear. We won't interrupt you."
"Tanabi..." asked uncertainly Scar's daughter. "I just ask... do you want to go with me?"
He looked on grandmother and when he saw no doubts on her face, answered.
"Yes, I want." Both lions went into Golden Hall.
\/\/\/
Midnight came when light of moon was shining almost vertically, down through roof-hole. In this illumination room became more mysterious and scary. Vitani came on it's centre and bowed down to ground. Tanabi followed her.
"Mother, brother... father, if you're listening to me..." she started to speak with official voice. Lion grabbed her paw and gently clutched it. "I'm here to show you that I'm remember and miss you all. Please, forgive moments of weakness that I had. But, please... don't condemn me, for choices I've made..." she gave quick look on Tanabi and turned head up once again. "I wish to be with Tanabi, son of Simba. I hope, you understand it and hold no grudge against me or Kovu." In that moment some piece of mound roof had felt on Tanabi's head. He shocked his head and turned his sight on room. There was no one, but Vitani.
"What was that?" he asked surprised.
"I don't know..." she replied. "Just coincidence... Or Nuka likes you. He express it in... unusual way."
"And what now?" asked lion.
"We will back to Priderock." Answered she. "Remember, that you still could change you mind... about me. I hope you won't, but I..." she broke her voice. "No, Tanabi! If you forbid me, I won't do anything again you father. We could leave Pridelands now..."
"Yeah... of course..." interrupted Tanabi. "Don't talking rots! We'll go to my father and talk with him hard. I'll made him to spread the truth about Scar's reign in our kingdom. If he refuse... I will challenge him with your name."
"WHAT?" yelled shocked Vitani.
"He is my father and I love him. But I will made him to tell truth. I won't allow, that you will suffer from lies about your father."
"You don't have to..."
"I know. I want it, my love." He ran out from hall. "Come on, we've got lots of thing to do!"