Here it is, as promised, chapter ten of my new story!
I hope you answered my chapter three question, I really do read all the reviews and messages so please, Rate and Review for me!
New chapter posted every fifth day! (See A/N)
Don't forget to read my related TLK fan fiction, The Second Love, new chapter posted every Friday!
Enjoy this chapter!
CHAPTER 10: DADDY
The sun was rising over the outlands, hyenas lie eagerly waiting to hear news from Scar, nipping and barking at the thought of Mufasa's prince.
Just outside of the elephant graveyard where the hyenas dithered around stupidly, was Zuri's den. Mating season had now past, the drama passing with it, and things were settling back to the way they were. Just Zuri and Jua. He had tried very hard for weeks to win her over again, feeling awful about being a man whore. She accepted him as who he was though, Imara was a good girl for the most part, and she was better then a stranger, or worse, multiple strangers.
Months had passed, Zuri and Jua were walking to find their new home, a place far away form pride rock and its troubles. The sun best down heavily as it always did, but they'd only walk a little more until the duo would stop for the night.
"Zuri, where are we going exactly?"
Asked Jua, playfully rubbing her head under his chin, smiling and giggling.
"It's a surprise Jua! There are no prides or lions for miles, it truly is the place to be."
They walked some more, nearing the place where they would call home. The young couple had been walking for weeks, going the far way around the jungle. The sandy Savannah quickly turned into a lush and pretty oasis of green growth and waterfalls, filled with butterflies and flowers. Jua's attention was delicately pulled away from a marvelous waterfall by something small in the distance, it looked hurt.
"Zuri, do you see that?"
Jay pointed with her nose to the small object, it barely moving a few miles away, still on the rough and sandy terrain.
"I see, it's small, I wonder what it is?"
"Go look, maybe it needs help."
Said Jua, feeling concern and slight pity for the animal. Even if its species was usually dinner, suffering wasn't the fun part of the circle of life.
"I'll be back quickly, stay right here alright?"
"That's fine, just come back soon, we need to eat dinner, find a new den, and then..."
Jua kissed the side of his muzzle, slamming her face into his mane alluringly.
"Then what?"
Zuri smiled, still looking in the distance at the small creature, parting his gaze momentarily to Jua so he could kiss her back.
"We'll need to christen our new home with some spectacular love making."
Zuri chuckled, kissing her again.
"I'll make sure to catch some extra large dinner."
"Go on you sexy beast."
Jua tapped his butt with her nose as he walked away, toward the figure. Getting closer, Zuri became more and more frightened. It was indeed small, not naturally, just young. A dark brown... lion cub. It was a cub, dark brown all over with light tan paws, and a pretty coffee colored mane tuft, slightly more creamy then his tiny body.
Zuri stopped, at least thirty feel from the cub, contemplating whether he should stay or run. The small baby looked at him, it's tiny blue eyes locking onto Zuri's auburns.
"Daddy?"
Zuri's heart dropped. How can you abandon something as sweet and innocent as this, after its called you daddy? He wouldn't of left the cub either way, but this was a definite keeper.
"Do you have a name little guy?"
The cub shook his head no, maybe he just didn't remember.
"Where are your parents?"
"Bad lion hurt my mommy and daddy. They told me to run."
"How long ago was that?"
"I don't know, who are you?"
"My name's Zuri."
"Can I... Can I come home with you?"
"Absolutely, come here."
Zuri laid down, letting the small cub claw his way onto Zuri's back, riding his mane like a roller coaster.
"Claws little guy claws!"
Zuri's could feel his sharp razors digging into his back, but they eased off slowly.
"Do you have water?"
The cub squeaked while he spoke, coughing from a dry throat.
"I'll get you some, don't worry. There'll be food too."
"Thank you."
At least the cub had good manners.
"I have a mate too, she'll take care of you if we can't find your parents."
The cub nodded.
"What's her name?"
"Jua."
The cub nodded again. He perked up a lot with just a little company, hopefully this perkiness was a sign of good health.
Reentering the oasis, Jua sat with her paws crossed, looking at Zuri.
"I found a nice den for us, it's a little small but it's got a great view of the waterfall."
"Jua, I brought you a present."
"Wha..."
Jua's eyes lit up at the sight of the little guy on Zuri's back, now looking over his mane and smiling. The cub timed it just right to, like he knew he had to make a good appearance so there wouldn't be any fighting.
Zuri crouched down, letting the cub off of his back.
"There's the water little guy, drink up, not to fast, you'll feel sick."
The cub nodded, running over to the water in bouncing steps.
Jua had stood up, and was now beside Zuri, watching the cub drink. They both sat done next to each other, Jua leaning into Zuri, but that didn't mean the air wasn't tense.
"What's his name Zuri?"
"He doesn't have one."
"Really?"
"I told him he could stet until we find his parents, but Jua..."
"I know Zuri, they must be long gone."
"Exactly. He's so sweet Jua."
Zuri sounded all dreamy, fantasizing again. Jua wanted freedom, and this cub would weigh her down.
"Do you want to keep him?"
Asked Jua, swallowing hard. Zuri nuzzled her to ease the discomfort.
"I know it's a lot for us, but look at him! He's so perfect. I want whatever you want Jua. That said, I want to keep him."
Jua laughed, pawing Zuri on his nose.
"I don know Zuri, I don't think I'll make a good..."
"Remember last time we talked about this? You'll make a great mother because you're an amazing girl, and I'll be here always."
"Will we be able to feed him?"
Asked Jua, knowing a growing boy can eat like a fire, endless fuel consumed for the same result. Moderate power.
"He's so little, for now he won't eat much."
The little cub ran over to Zuri and Jua, sitting down between Zuri's front paws and nuzzling the bottom of Zuri's mane and chin.
"Feeling better?"
"Yes, can... can I call you my daddy?"
Zuri sighed out. He knew he'd never find any parents, so what the hell.
"Of coarse little guy."
"And can I call you mommy?"
The cub starred up at Jua, smiling brightly. She coiled back some, feeling cornered and afraid of the commitment.
"Yes, you can call me that."
The cub ran over, stumbling over Zuri's leg as he went to nuzzle Imara's chest and chin, thanking her for being nice. The nuzzle warmed Jua up, she liked the feeling of gratitude, also knowing that someone else relied on her would definitely make her a stronger person.
"I'll go get us all some dinner alright? Jua, you'll be fine..."
"Yes, I'm fine."
Jua was genuine, she lied the little guy between her front paws, happily bouncing around in his own little area. Zuri smiled, walking way to go and catch dinner.
"You need a bath."
Jua began bathing the cub, cleaning off his dirty fur patiently.
"That tickles!"
Said the cub, feeling her grainy tongue going reverse his fur's grain.
It happened, and he'd get used to it. After several minutes, the cub was clean, happily lying back down.
"What will we call you?"
"I don't know mommy, what do you want to call me?"
Jua couldn't think of anything, she'd wait for Zuri to get back first.
In the pride lands, extremely loud roaring was heard from the main den of pride rock, all the animals of the Savannah (or at least within pride territory) had gathered to see the new prince. Sarabi was pissed, it hurt quite a bit birthing the cub, but he was a pretty little boy, and even better, he was a boy.
Sitting down with her front paws encircling the cub like a blanket, Mufasa walked over me rubbed his head against hers, smiling that this one thing went without incident in his life.
Rafiki took the cub, shaking some powder on his tiny wet nose, and rubbing some fruit mash on his forehead. Carrying him the the peak of pride rock, the price was presented to the kingdom. Animals made noises of all sort before bowing in respect.
Simba.
Sadly, Mufasa had noticed his brother wasn't at the presentation, which would be solved with a talk.
Scar had avoided the presentation, because in the back of his head he knew he'd have to kill the little brat too, which he didn't completely approve of, it wasn't Simba's fault he was in the way- but 'the circle of life' (African YOLO).
Sarabi was now back to normal size (not really), but Sarafina and Imara were very pregnant, bound to give birth any day now.
"You're turn ladies."
Said Sarabi through labored breathes, happily taking Simba back into her paws, feeling tired and worn out.
"How did it... You know."
Asked Sarafina, knowing she'd be just like that in good time.
"Think of a lion's claw shoved up in... And he twists it all around for hours."
Both Sarafina and Imara recoiled back, amazed that her description was not only graphic, but sounding extremely painful in you *woman* area.
"Lovely Sarabi thank you."
"You're very welcome Sara."
Sarabi giggled.
"I'm very happy for you Sarabi, Simba looks wonderful."
Sarabi smiled back at Imara.
"Well just keep you're cub away from him, he's my daughters."
Imara giggled back, Sarafina was being sarcastic, but not entirely. Simba was, before he was even born, destined to marry Sarafina's cub.
"Don't worry Sara."
Mufasa was storming around pride rock, going to the place his brother always was. Luckily, he arrived jut in time. Zazu was crammed into Scar's mouth.
"Scar! Drop him."
With his green eyes rolling, the lion released his hornbill snack, dropping him on the ground in a puddle of spittle.
"My! If it isn't my brother, descending from on high to mingle with the commoners!"
"Sarabi and I didn't see you at the presentation of Simba."
"That was today? Oh I feel awful... it must have, slipped my mind."
Said Scar, raking his claws down a rock wall in a loud scratching motion as he spoke.
"Well as slippery as your mind is, as the kings brother, you should have been first in line!"
Said Zazu, now perched safely on Mufasa's shoulder.
"I was first in line... Until the little hairball was born."
"That "hairball" is my son. And your future king!"
Shouted Mufasa in frustration.
"Oh, I'll practice my courtesy.."
Scar summoned a girly, slimy voice of condescension.
"Don't turn your back on me Scar!"
Mufasa was growing more frustrated by the minute.
"Oh, no Mufasa. Perhaps you shouldn't turn your back on me."
Scar meant it too, he only wanted respect. Damned me the throne! But to little to late, Scar was going for it all now- and Mufasa better watch that monster closely.
"IS THAT A CHALLENGE?!"
Mufasa always had a short temper, and here it blew.
"Temper, temper.. I wouldn't dream of challenging you."
Said Scar, assuming a baby voice and pushing his brother away.
"Pity! Why not?" Chimed in Zazu again, sounding annoyed. There is nothing more Zazu wouldn't like to see then for Scar to be beaten around a little.
"Well, as far as brains go. I have the lion's share, of when it comes to brute strength. I'm afraid I'm at the shallow end of the gene pool..."
Scar walked away, heading to meet his hyena friends.
Enters the elephant graveyard, the hyenas howled at his sight, happy to see him.
"It's time boys, Shenzi, Banzai, Ed, come here! I have a plan..."
Interesting right? Hun and Nala are still buns in the oven, and little Simba is here! Lt the first TLK movie begin! Sadly though, we won't be following Simba, well be following Scar through the first movie, the part that wasn't explained. Get ready, because Zira and Kukuza are only chapters away!
NOTE: schedule change, chapters will now be posted every FIFTH day.
(Starting now, next chapter is Saturday)
Come on guys, 5,000-6,000 word chapters every three days? I've got a life to tend to...
Also, this story can't go to quick, The Second Love needs to catch up, and the two timelines are about to meet.
AND I'M SO SORRY I SAID 'AFRICAN YOLO' I PROMISE TO NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!
Every chapter I'll post a question, and your answer will help me write the story!
What should the name be of Zuri & Jua's adopted cub be?
(Give me a good one, and I'll make it so!)
Post your answer in the comments section!
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Thanks everyone!