Just as a warning, this chapter has some suggestive content. If you don't like homosexuality stop reading now… No gross, furry, lion sex or anything like that; just 'suggestive'content.
A month had passed since the exile of Amadi and a tense vibe had started to linger over the pride. Things were not going as Simba planned. Dalia had become very distant and almost always refused leadership training. She had also began to isolate herself from Ayo. She did care for Ayo, more than she had cared for anyone else, but she didn't think it was right. Though it was making her suffer inside, she figured that if she refused to make Ayo her king that Simba would have to bring Amadi back. A queen could not take the thrown without a king; an heir needed to be ensured.
This confused Ayo greatly, not to mention the obvious concern he had for his future position as king. He was ok with the idea of ruling his original land, but The Pride Lands was the biggest and most successful kingdom in the savanna. How could he, one who wasn't even of royal Pride Lander blood, expect to rule to the standards of the future kings. Not to mention, he felt very guilty about replacing Amadi. He wished there was a way out of this…
Kovu had grown very reserved since the exile of his son, and emotional exhaustion was getting the best of him. Despite the fact that he had stated that he had disowned his son, he felt great anger and guilt to the way he had treated Amadi. He couldn't help but think that everything that happened with Amadi was all his fault. This torment had started to effect his health. Occasionally, he would not feel up to eating, and he had aged greatly from the stress.
Kiara missed her son, and it was obvious. At this point, she had put the attack on Dalia behind her and wanted her son back. She had fought with Simba numerous times, demanding that he reconsider and bring her son home. She just couldn't understand Simba's stubbornness. She knew, along with the rest of the pride, that the main reason Amadi was exiled was because Simba was afraid he would turn out just like Scar. Kiara thought this was ridiculous and knew that Amadi was not capable of such evil. It was just hysteria.
The whole ordeal had aged Simba greatly. Streaks of silver had formed in his mane, his body thinned with age, and his health was only going down hill. The king new that he did not have much time left on this earth, and he only hoped that things would make a positive turn around before he left.
Nala had noticed her kings declining physical state and began to worry. Kovu was not ready, or in the correct mindset to rule. She didn't know what would become of the kingdom if Simba passed away… She tried her hardest not to think about it; she couldn't imagine a life without Simba and dreaded to think the mess he might leave behind….
Everyone knew things had gotten worse… The pride was beginning to wish that the exile had never happened. It wasn't because they had faith in Amadi, but something about Amadi had kept the pride peaceful, had given people possible hope. And now it was gone. Everyone was questioning Simba's choice; no one wanted to see Ayo take the thrown. It wasn't that they didn't like him or Dalia, but it wasn't traditional. And they knew that Ayo did not have the ability to rule; he had no experience… The Pride needed help…
"Kovu?" Kiara said softly, walking up to the lion who was lying down lazily at the peek of the rock. "Honey, why don't you come in and eat something, we just got back from a hunt."
Kovu lifted his head and smiled softly at Kiara. It was a weak smile, one that wasn't a true sign of happiness. "No thanks… I'm not very hungry today." He said in a low note before turning his head to look back over the pride lands. Every day he took some time, staring out over the land. He didn't know why, but subconsciously it was because he hoped that he would see Amadi. See him walking back with that funny skip in his step that he always had. See him coming back home.
Kiara sighed and sat next to him, looking at him with sad eyes. "I know things are hard now, Kovu. But we can't let that destroy us. We need to hold strong and have faith that everything will turn out alright." She said gently, knowing that Kovu felt great sadness for the loss of his son.
Kovu didn't respond, making Kiara sigh. It was as if Kovu hadn't even heard her. "I miss Amadi too…" She said, as if reading his mind as her eyes traced Kovu's gaze out over the savanna.
Kovu's head turned quickly to look at Kiara when she spoke Amadi's name. The name almost made him want to yell at her, or to cry and beg for comfort… both seemed unpleasant, so he remained quiet and looked back over the land. All he offered was a slight nod.
'Stop staring, Kovu', he thought to himself as he let out a long sigh. 'You know he wont come back on his own… You were horrible to him. He wouldn't want to come home, and he isn't allowed to.'
But just as he was lost in his own thoughts a figure appeared in the tall grass. He had to squint his eyes shut several times to make sure the figure was there, but it defiantly was. The shadow of a lion in front of the setting sun! "Amadi?" He asked out loud, quickly getting to his feet to get a better look at the distant lion.
"What?" Kiara demanded, also standing, her eyes catching the lion. She shook her head, hating to be the one to bring down Kovu's hope. "No, that can't be Amadi. His mane is too full. And look, he has a lioness with him."
Kovu's heart dropped and he let out a quick sigh. But now wasn't the time to mope again, who were the strange lions. "Get Simba, I'll go investigate." And with that, he climbed down Pride Rock and went to meet the strangers. New males were always a possible threat to the pride, and it needed to be quickly established whether the new comers were threats.
Kovu grew near, head tall and proud so to seem intimidating if necessary. With the setting sun, it was hard to make out any detail of the figures. "State your business here." He stated I a calm and fair tone.
"Really, is that any way to great your son?" The voice asked, a chuckle following as the figure stepped close enough to be made out in the lighting. It was Dumaka.
Kovu's eyes widened with surprise, he was almost frozen in shock. But he shook his head, making sure he wasn't hallucinating, and then grinned. "Du!" He said, running up to the lion, nuzzling him lovingly.
Dumaka laughed and returned the affection to his father. "And here I was thinking you wouldn't want to see me." He said, tearing up slightly from the heart wrenching reunion.
"Son, I never meant what I said." Kovu said, looking at him with apologetic but relieved eyes. "I was so worried that….That you were dead.. We never found you, I thought…. I thought I had killed my son."
Dumaka sadly looked at his father and nuzzled against him as if he was a cub again. "It's not your fault, Dad…. It's not your fault. I'm fine… I'm alive." He murmured softly. He then looked to the female with him. "Oh, Dad, this is Ami; the princess of the pride who took me in…and my mate."
Kovu smiled and stepped back, proud eyes looking from Dumaka to his love, Ami. "Pleasure to meet you, Ami. You are welcome here with Dumaka." He said, grinning as he looked back at his son. "Look how much you have grown…."
Dumaka smirked and shook his head slightly. He defiantly had grown; his muscles were very well developed and his redish brown mane was large and full. He was a bit bigger than Kovu, about Simba's size. "Yeah… It has been a while…"
"Dumaka?!" Came a voice from behind Kovu. Kiara came running up, her eyes staring in disbelief. "It is you! My god, your ok!" She ran right up to him and nuzzled him strongly under the chin.
Dumaka affectionately nuzzled his mother. "Yes Mom, I'm home… And I'm ok." He said with a smile. "I'm sorry for all the trouble and worry I caused. I never meant it to go this far… I wasn't thinking."
"Don't talk about that now, all that matters is that you are safe." Kiara said, tears happily running down her face as she stepped next to Kovu.
The whole pride had come down with Kiara when she had told Simba about the strangers walking to Pride Rock. They had all been very curious, and now they were all very happy to see Dumaka and meet Ami.
Dalia shared a very tearful, but happy reunion with Dumaka; that is after she cuffed him hard on the face and shouting at him for running off in the first place. Dumaka didn't mind, he had missed Dalia most of all and probably deserved the swat.
As Dumaka talked to the pride members, and returned all the affection displayed towards him, a question floated into his mind. Where was Amadi? He didn't see his quirky younger brother. Was it possible that he saw him coming and didn't want to see him? Could he still be mad after all these months? "Mom, Dad… Where is Amadi?" He asked, looking around the pride. His eyebrows rose in slight surprise to the looks on his parents face when they mentioned his name. "Aw man, he's not still sore with me, is he?"
Kovu sighed and shook his head. "We have a lot to tell each other, Dumaka." He said, shifting his eyes slightly. "Let's head back to Pride Rock, share our stories, and talk some things over."
"You exiled Amadi!?" Dumaka demanded after hearing a long and detailed retelling of what happened.
"Did you not hear about the part where he attacked your sister?" Simba asked, rolling his eyes slightly. He got this exact reaction from Dalia, he really hated having to explain this over and over.
"Yea, but that sounds like kid stuff. A typical teenage scratch. I mean, yea, it was wrong of him, and Dalia, please don't take this the wrong way, but it wasn't worth exile!" Dumaka said, shaking his head.
"That's what I said, actually." Dalia said, rolling her eyes as she sat a ways back from Dumaka and Simba.
"The last time there was jealousy between siblings in this pride a King died." Simba said, giving Dumaka a look.
"Amadi is not Scar, Grandfather, and he never will be. I had a lot of time to think while I was gone. I wrong Amadi. Yea, he was different, and really really different, but still, this is wrong. We all treat him like the plague. You didn't exile him because of this thing with Dalia, you exiled him because it was a way to get him out of the prides fur!"
Simba was shocked to silence, but his eyebrows narrowed and he growled a little. "Don't speak to me this way." Simba said angrily. "Who are you to speak after vanishing for months."
"Why not? Seems to me that you've all been making horrible decisions for Amadi while I was gone. And I thought I was the ass of the family." He shook his head and looked at his father. "Dad, who will be king now? After you, who will be king?"
"Well, Dalia and Ayo were picked as the successors." Kovu, not looking directly into his son's eyes.
"How is that going to work?" Dumaka asked, looking very confused for a moment. "Ayo has his own kingdom to rule."
"His mother agreed to stay here if we needed--"
"No, no that's not right." Dumaka said, shaking his head as he looked to Ayo and then to Simba. "It's Ayo's destiny to rule his own pride. And it's Amadi's to rule here. You can't just tear someone away from their destiny"
Simba cocked his head slightly, looking at Dumaka with slight amusement. "If you had not run off we wouldn't have had this problem." Simba said spitefully. But he took in a deep breath, so to regain his kingly composure. It was not good for a king to say petty things. "Now that your back, maybe you could--"
"No, I can't do that." Dumaka said with a sigh, shaking his head.
"Why not? Technically speaking, your next in line. Your of royal blood." Kovu said, walking up to his son.
"Dad, the pride who took me in needs me. I love Ami, I can't take her away from them and I wont leave without her. I'm her king. I owe that pride a lot. Dad, they are like my family." He said very carefully. "I'm sorry."
"You would betray your pride to rule another?" Simba asked angrily.
"No. I'm not meant to be king here, I was never meant to be king. But destiny gave me the chance when I met Ami and her pride." Dumaka said, getting very angry with Simba. "Your betraying this pride, and everyone else involved!"
Simba's eyes widened and he growled. "What?!"
"You are taking Ayo's purpose away from him! Your forcing Dalia into a position she obviously doesn't want! And you sent Amadi away because you didn't think he would make a good king! I know this to be true, you blame it on the fight, but I know that's not the case! You didn't even give Amadi a chance!"
Kovu stepped forward. "Du, you yourself said you didn't think Amadi could make a good king."
"Dad, I was young and stupid. I didn't understand Amadi. He was weird, unusual, and not what one would expect from a king." Dumaka said to Kovu before turning to Simba. "But Amadi was kind, fair, and a wise. He was everything we could only hope to be. I was jealous of him, and I didn't know why because I thought he was a freak. I was jealous of how the lionesses adored his gentle heart, I was jealous about how all of the animals in the kingdom loved him but not me. I was young….young and stupid. I didn't give him a chance, and now you guys aren't."
The Pride began to murmur amongst themselves. Kovu and Kiara looked at each other and then at Dumaka. Simba sighed and shook his head. "Enough… We already have a plan now…. We have no need for this." Simba said stubbornly.
Kiara stepped forward. "Daddy, what's happened to you? You are usually such a wise king. And now your just stubborn. Stubborn and afraid." She bit her lip and let a tear run down her face. "I got Dumaka back, Daddy, and Dalia is perfectly healthy. I want Amadi home… I want all of my babies together again."
"I said enough…" He said, looking away from his daughter. "My decision was final, we don't need Amadi."
"Yes you do." Dalia said, stepping forward; her head held high with pride. "Father, Grandpa; everyone…. I decline your offer… I refuse to be Queen."
Ayo looked at Dalia with surprised, but obviously relieved eyes. The rest of the pride gasped, and Simba stared at Dalia with disbelief. Dalia remained proud and continued. "Ayo will return to his home and be king to his own pride, as he is destined to be. And I will go with him as his Queen."
Kiara and Kovu stared at their daughter, but both of them understood. Simba on the other had was furious. What was once a wise king was now a stubborn old lion who hated being ganged up on. Biting his lip he growled and turned his backs on all of them. "Fine." Was the only word they had to offer.
Dalia smiled and turned to Dumaka. "We have to go find Amadi." She said, looking to their parents. "We'll make the journey, you guys are needed here."
Dumaka nodded and laughed. "I promise I'll come home this time." He said with a grin before turning to Ami. "I need to find my brother…"
The lioness smiled and nodded understandingly. "And I'll be right here waiting when you get back." She said, nuzzling him lovingly.
And with that, the two set off. They had no idea where Amadi might have run off to, but with Dalia's hunting and tracking abilities, and with Dumaka's strength; the two were sure they would find their brother.
…
Back in the oasis, Amadi had been living in Taj's land. His wound from the warthog had healed, but unfortunately left behind a rather nasty scar that stretched from the top of his head all the way down to his jawline.
Despite the fact his mind had been manipulated into thinking he was as horrible as Scar, and now he had the scar to prove it, he was happy. He and Taj had grown very close; it almost reminded him of what he and Ayo use to have. But Amadi had to be careful this time. One, he really didn't know how many lions there were like him and he found it very unlikely that he would just happen to meet one. And two he really didn't want to be hurt again. Not to mention if he tried to seek out what he desired and Taj didn't like him that way it would be really awkward.
One thing that fascinated Amadi, though, was that Taj new about his attraction to other males, and yet he didn't mind being around Amadi. In fact, Taj was very fond of Amadi. When one was use to living alone for so long, one craved friendship. Amadi offered friendship and so much more.
Taj had never thought about it before, but he had never seeked out the company of lionesses. Ususally, rogue males would seek out lone females or attempt to take over a pride. But he had been content with being by himself. And now he was content being with Amadi. He really didn't know what to make of the attraction, though, or what might have set it off. Possibly it was from the fact that Amadi pretty much looks like a girl… But he doubted it.
Sighing, Taj rolled over in his sleep, staring up at the stars before looking over at the sleeping Amadi. They had had a good day. After a very successful hunt together, the two explored parts of the jungle that even Taj had not ventured to. Then when they came back they played in the water, attempting to catch the smallest of fishes for fun. Taj caught a few, swallowing the tricky little fish down. Amadi was good at catching them, but he always let them go. And now, after talking for a few hours, they slept in the comfortable cool of the night.
Well, Taj wasn't sleeping. He was watching Amadi, which he found slightly creepy. Sighing, he rolled back onto his stomach, brushing up against Amadi's side. 'God, no wonder Amadi is such a mess sometimes; this is a pain in the ass to go through…' He thought to himself. But why was he being so self conscious about it? Amadi was open about it, and since he was the only other lion around for miles, so why should Taj even care?
Closing his eyes he moved closer to Amadi and began to nuzzle him gently. "Amadi…?" He murmured in a soothing tone as he began to lovingly groom Amadi.
"Hmm?" Amadi asked in a sleepy grumble, his eyes still closed as he stayed in a half sleep. His ears would twitch slightly when he felt warmth run over them; Taj was licking him.
"Aww… Look who's all sleepy." Taj said with a deep throated chuckle as he focuses his grooming on Amadi's neck and ears.
"It's the middle of the night, you should be too." Amadi grumbled, still kind of asleep. As he became more awake, and slightly irritable from being woken, he began to notice the attention given to him. He froze slightly, wondering if he was dreaming. "What are you doing?"
"Grooming you…" Taj murmured softly he rest a paw on Amadi's back.
"B-but we were in…in water today… I'm clean." He stuttered, feeling very emotionally flustered and suddenly very awake.
"I don't care." Taj said in a caring, but playfully gruff tone. His licking grew longer and more rhythmic as he let out a long, sensuous sigh.
Amadi closed his eyes, loosing his body to the touch. "But I thought…" He started, his voice trailing off.
"You thought wrong…Your not alone in this world, Amadi." Taj whispered, nipping lightly at his left ear. "I care for you…I think I love you…"
Amadi would have been bright red if it weren't for his fur. He was feeling a huge amount of overwhelming emotion. Love? No one he had cared about ever loved him before… "I… I love you too." Amadi responded, his head low, submissive, and happily smiling to Taj and the wonderful attention he was giving him.
The feeling Taj received from this sharing of affections was even greater than he expected. Such happiness could not come from just a superstition. He really cared for Amadi, he knew this to be certain, and it made him the happiest lion alive.
Slowly, Taj stood, standing half over Amadi, licking his ears, neck and back. "Do you trust me?" He asked gently, purring softly and seductively.
Amadi looked over his shoulder at Taj, looking into his eyes with nervous but loving eyes. "Yes….Yes I do…"
…
The next morning Amadi woke up much later than he usually did. He was half laying over Taj, which made him smile. What a wonderful way to wake up. Slowly he stood, stretching as he looked down at Taj. Last night had to have been the best night he ever had. It made him completely forget about home, about his family, about the fact he was under exile. Leaning down, he licked Taj softly on the cheek then went to the water to drink and have a refreshing, morning bath.
Once out of the water he went out to find something for them to eat. He wanted to surprise Taj with a good meal; something a bit greater than a warthog. As he searched, he came upon a group of zebra. He cringed slightly, ever since the river event as a cub he had not been able to kill or eat zebra. But he had to be stronger, now. He had to prove his worth to his beloved Taj; he wanted to work out all of his personal, irrational quirks.
As he crouched he neared the herd grazing in a small clearing. The grass was short, so he had to wait in the brush of the jungle until one of the zebra came close to the trees. He waited for a good twenty minutes, and then one finally wandered into range. But as he tensed to pounce a noise in the distance spooked the zebra. He watched in annoyance as the zebra's heads shot up in the air, bodies turned, and they took off.
He let out an annoyed growl and exposed himself to the clearing, walking on the short grass. He had heard where the noise came from. Maybe it was another predator, Taj often spoke of how he had to chase off the occasional leopard. But his eyes widened with surprise as he watched two lions walk out of the bushes to join him in the clearing. And they weren't just any lions, it was Dalia and Dumaka.
"Amadi!" Dalia yelled out, jumping into a run as she darted up to her brother, pouncing him playfully to the ground. She gasped slightly when her eyes caught site of the scar running down his right eye. "What happened to your face?" she asked as she crawled off of him.
Amadi just lay there in surprise for a moment before managing to get to his feet. "It's great to see you too." He said as he turned to look at Dumaka. His eyebrows arched in disbelief. "Du…?"
"Hey there, big brother." Dumaka said with a smile, walking up to Amadi, looking down on him. "Or should I say little?"
Amadi grinned and playfully pounced Dumaka. "Nope, still your big brother!" He said, laughing and he hopped off of him. "Where have you been?! I… I thought you were dead."
"So did everyone else." Dalia said with a smile. "He came back about a week ago. And now were here with you. All three of us together again."
Amadi grinned, but then his smile faded slightly. "But… What are you doing here?" He asked curiously, wondering why they would bother searching for him.
"We came to bring you back home." Dumaka said with a grin. "Your pride needs its future king."
Amadi quirked a brow at Dumaka, shaking his head in disbelief. "Didn't they tell you? I'm exiled."
Dalia grinned. "No anymore!" She said proudly as she nuzzled Amadi. "Dumaka found a mate and is going to be king of another pride, and I refused to be queen. So Simba had to take you back!"
Amadi looked from one to the other. He really didn't know what to say. So many questions he had to ask them, so many things he wanted to know. But at the same time there was a bigger problem at hand. He was happy here, happy here with Taj. He missed The Pride Lands so much, and he missed his family, but at the same time he couldn't leave Taj. How could he leave the one he loved? And he doubted it would be acceptable for him to bring Taj home with him.
Just as he was about to say something there was noise behind them. He saw Dumaka tense as the much bigger Taj walked up next to Amadi. Taj looked less than pleased that this new male was in his land. "What's going on here?" He demanded, stepping in front of Amadi protectively.
"Taj, stop it…" Amadi said, nudging him slightly. "Taj, these are my siblings; Dumaka and Dalia. Guys, this is Taj…..My mate."
Taj remained in his dominant stance as he watched the expressions on his siblings change from fear of Taj to surprise. Dalia didn't know what to make of this situation, but politely smiled. Dumaka, on the other hand, was not going to make the same mistake. Stepping forward he smiled.
"I'm not here as a threat to your land, Taj; I can assure you of that. We just came looking for our brother." He said softly, smiling. He then looked at Amadi. "Does he make you happy?"
Amadi was shocked by the question. But he smiled, pleasantly surprised with Dumaka's acceptance. "Yes…He does."
Dumaka smiled and sighed. "Well, this is a problem. Not because of Taj. Trust me, I'm happy that your happy…" He said carefully. "But Amadi, we need you back at home."
Before Amadi could say anything Taj jumped in. "You're the ones who sent him off in the first place! You forced him away." He protested. "He's happy here, he's happier with me than he ever was with you lions; trust me, I know. I've been here for Amadi when you never were."
"I know we have made bad decisions." Dalia said to keep Dumaka's head cool. "But Amadi, we really need you back at home. Momma and Daddy are a mess, and I'm sure that Grampy-Simba will come around. Please Amadi. We all want and need you back."
Amadi stood there, looking back and forward from his siblings to Taj. He did miss his family and his homeland, but he couldn't leave Taj. Could he get away with bringing Taj home with him? Because he knew that he wouldn't leave unless he did that. He really didn't know what to do…
Alright, time to make this story a bit more fun. A lot of depressing crap has happened, and to make up for it I'm going to add some excitement. The fate of the next chapter is in your hands!
When you go to post a review you have to make a vote. And your vote will detirmine whether Amadi goes home or stays with Taj. Think wisely because each result has its pros and cons. Ok, here are the options.
Post "Return" if you want Amadi to return to The Pride Lands with his siblings, and without Taj.
Post "Stay" if you want Amadi to stay in the jungle with Taj.
Post "Taj" if you want Amadi to risk going home and bringing Taj with him.
THE CHOICE IS YOURS! CHOOSE WISELY!