Here's another chapter. I own nothing, but the plot twists and Kim. I hope you enjoy.
"Come…this way, Kim…" a high voice calls from above me. I glance up and spot Zazu flying next to me. Behind me, I hear the thundering hooves of the wilder beasts while Zazu flies above me. Turning, he starts to head west and calls out my name. I try to call him back, but my throat is to dry. Quickly, I turn, my feet skidding against the ground as I follow Mufasa's advisor. Something slams into my side and I slide into a cavern before I fall into darkness.
Against my skin I feel wings beating against my face. I blink and wince as dust sweeps into my eyes. Something heavy seems to weigh my body down as I try to sit up. Once more, I blink and sway on my hands. Beside me, I hear Zazu speak, but his words fall on deaf ears. The world around me spins as I try to stand up only to fall back down. Dust fills my lungs as I cough. Zazu flaps his wings next to me, but I try to bat him away. My palms scrap against rock on both sides. I feel my heart skips a beat as the walls seem to begin to close in around. I hear a scream, but it doesn't sound like mine. Again, I blink and try to move around.
Ahead of me, I hear Zazu calling out my name as though leading me out of the cave. Gradually, I move toward the entrance, wincing every few seconds from the pain in my legs. I shake my head to try and clear my thoughts, but everything still seems a blur. Off in the distance, I hear the sound of hooves racing toward me and I scream, the sound echoing off the walls. A single wilder beast races past as I press myself up against the wall, yet, the beast pays no attention to me. More dust swirls through the air as my eyes scan the deserted gorge. I glance back over at Zazu; his large eyes staring back at me with a mixture of concern and sadness. A look my mother used to give me when something awful happened.
"What!" I snap at him.
Zazu almost jumps backward at my sudden outburst before settling on the ground before me. Bowing low, he stammers, "Binti mfalme…I…I…it's…."
"What!" I snap again, gritting my teeth in frustration.
"It's….the king….he's dead…you were out cold and I went to check…" His voice trails off as I push myself to my feet and start running.
No, it couldn't be true, not Mufasa. Despite the pain, I force my feet to keep going as memories of the stampede begin to circle through my mind. My heart begins to beat quicker as I imagine Simba's body pressed up against mine. Simba…my mind freezes on his name as I glance back over at Zazu. How could he just leave Simba alone? If he was still…I shake my head, no time to think about that. Dark, dense clouds hang across the sky as dust swirls around the empty gorge. My footsteps echo across the ground through the heavy fog of silence that surrounds the gorge. After a moment, Zazu flies up in front of me, spreading his wings as though to block me. His eyes seem to narrow as he shakes his head.
"No, we cannot go any further," he cries.
Once more, I ignore him and shove past him. I keep walking until I turn a corner and freeze in my tracks. My eyes grow wide as I stare over at Mufasa. Above him, the tree branch is broken in half, like an arrow. I feel my legs collapse beneath me, but my eyes remain focused on Mufasa's limp body. A flash of queen Uru flashes through my mind as a sharp pain pierces my heart. Tears rim my eyes, blurring my vision again. Behind me, I hear Zazu call out my name, but I can't make myself answer. How could this happen? How could the great spirits of the past allow this to happen? It wasn't Mufasa's time. My throat burns as I suck down the tears and turn away, unable to look anymore. Against my leg, I feel Zazu patting my leg as he looks up at me.
Blinking, I turn and look down at him, my voice barely above a whisper. "Zazu…why…why did this happen?"
Zazu bows his head and shakes it. "I don't know…but we have to get back to Pride Rock."
"What…what about, Simba?" I ask.
Zazu again shakes his head. Without another word, he flies up and starts head east. For a moment, I glance back over at Mufasa and bow my head, sending a prayer up the great kings. Softly, I hear Zazu calling me and I force myself to stand and follow. Every few steps, I wince as pain shoots up through my body. Outside of the gorge, starlight still shines across the sky, guiding us back home. A cool breeze sweeps through the grass and brushes against my face. I shiver as I look down at the ground. Just hours ago, the grass was lush and green, now seem dry and dull as the blades scratch at my ankles. I squint my eyes against the darkness and catch glimpses of some animals still grazing peacefully. My blood begins to boil as I watch them. How can they just stand there and eat when their king had just passed onto the next life? Beside me, I feel Zazu stiffen too as he stares at the scene too. None of the animals turn toward me as we pass and I almost sigh in relief. At least some things never change, but my heart still aches. Where was Simba? I want to ask Zazu, but I can't seem to find the right words. After two hours, I see the tip of Pride Rock. My senses grow alert and my body stiffens as I hear someone coming toward us. Through the darkness, I hear Nala's voice and I sigh as I sink down to the ground.
"Kimaria, there you are. Your mother was so worried…can we play hide and seek?" she asks, looking up at me.
If it is even possible, I feel my body stiffen even more as her questions rolls over in my mind. Can we play hide and seek? How I wish I could just say yes and loose myself in the game. I watch as Nala leans forward as though practicing her pouncing skills. Zazu clears his throat and settles down on the ground in between us.
"I'm sorry…Nala, but…we have to get back home…and isn't it time for you to be in bed?" he asks, looking over at the young lioness cub.
"But…Zazu"
"Nala, what are you- oh Kimaria, Zazu, where have you been?" Sarafina asks. Her blue eyes seem to shine against the darkness as she looks between all three of us. After a moment, she says, "Come…Scar has gathered the Pride for an important announcement."
Without another word, she picks up her daughter by the scruff of her neck and heads back to Pride Rock. I glance down at Zazu, but he doesn't say anything to me. His eyes fixed on the lioness and her daughter. I open my mouth, but can't make the words come to me. After a moment, Zazu flies up and follows Sarafina. Gradually, I push myself and start to follow them. Moonlight seems to shine down across the base of Pride Rock where the lionesses form a semi-circle. Scar sits at the head of the group; his green eyes surveying the group with sorrow. On his right, Sarabi sits beside him as though she was his queen. I shiver as Scar's words from the day before circle through my mind. For a moment, Sarabi looks up and spots me; her red eyes suddenly shine with a glimmer of hope. Softly, she whispers my name and all heads turn toward me. Each pair of eyes stares at me in confusion. I sigh as Sarabi walks over to me and nuzzles me gently.
"Are you all right?" she asks, staring at me.
I nod and nuzzle my face into her warm fur as my arms wrap around her neck.
Across from us, Scar clears his throat and surveys the group again. Bowing his head slightly, he says, "I'm so glad that Kimaria is safe, but…I must tell you that…King Mufasa….and the young prince, Simba, my own brother and nephew have died in a stampede today."
A huge cry of moaning sweeps through semi-circle. Tears roll down their faces as they each look at one another for an answer or some hope. Nala nuzzles up against her mother as she cries. Beside me, I see Sarabi's lips trembling as she tries to stay strong for the others. Yet, I see a few tears rolling down her face as Scar's words sink in. For a moment, she glances over at me; her eyes searching mine for some answer and some glimpse of her son. I feel my legs begin to buckle beneath me as I fall onto the ground; my heart breaking in two. Despite the way, Sarabi acts like a mother to me, I will never be like her own son. More moans and cries circle the group as Scar's become clearer and clearer.
Sighing deeply, Scar begins to speak again. "The king's death is a terrible loss….for me it is great loss, but to lose Simba…who had only just begun to live with us….for me it is a great and personal loss…" he pauses and closes his eyes, "So…it is with a heavy heart that I assume the throne. Yet, out of the ashes we shall rise…"
Behind him, a small group of soft laughter echo off the walls. Scar's emerald eyes snap open as he surveys the group once again. Pushing himself up, Scar turns half way around as a group of hyenas begin to walk toward us; their yellow eyes glinting against the darkness. Wide grins spread across their faces as they stare at us. Every lioness gasps as we watch the hyenas crawl down and spread across the Pride lands. Sarabi growls low in her throat as she stands up and move in front of me. Confusion clouds my thoughts as I watch the hyenas move around us. One of Mufasa's lessons begins to circle through my mind; hyenas had been limited to the graveyard because they were a danger to the Pride. I shake my head as I try to clear away his voice.
Again, Scar speaks toward the group of lionesses. "A future in which lions and hyenas come together in a great future," he says, standing proudly near the end of one of the steps.
Lionesses let out a few more mournful cries as the reality sinks in. Their king and prince are died and Scar has taken the throne. For a moment, I glance up at the sky toward the stars. Despite all the changes, the stars still remain and close my eyes, sending a prayer up to the great kings. Only time will tell what will become of us. Concentrating, I swear I hear Rafiki mournful cries mixing with our own.
Sorry for the short chapter. Please review and thanks.