What am I feeling? This is completely new to me! I didn't know I'd be jealous, I didn't think I'd get flustered like this!
Zira was walking by Kukuza's side as they headed to no where in particular. She didn't want to look at him, if she did, anything could happen. She could cry, blurt out her emotions. She could hit him. She could run away. Anything.
I didn't feel this way with Scar, not at all!
He was there for her, and Scar never was. So new feelings could be expected, but not this strong.
Why does he... Why did he even like me?
A logical question.
"Kukuza?"
"Yes Zira?"
They were still walking at a slow and leisurely pace, not looking at each other.
Zira couldn't take it, she stood in front of him, blocking his path and making him stop.
"We need to talk, now."
"I know."
Kukuza sounded sad, he knew this would happen. That instinctual feeling of being watched, but worse.
They sat, face to face, far beyond the tall grasses that surrounded the pride lands. Pride rock was visible, but small and toy like in the vast distance.
"Why do you like me?"
The males brow furrowed, his grey and barely functioning eyes looking at her with concern.
"I mean, not like love me, but why do you tolerate me."
"I don't tolerate anything, I chose to be around you because that's what I like to do."
"But why?"
Zira was in love with his words, the way he said it- how he liked to be around her, that he didn't tolerate her, he genuinely liked her. As a person.
"Zira, I've always been down to your emotions. How you're so strong and smart and loud, but at the same time your simply a scared, cute lioness."
"Scared? What do you mean scared?"
Not defensive, but curious. His calling her cute softened the depth of her curiosity, but not by much.
"Zira, you don't express emotions like I do, you hold everything in- you're fragile whether you like it or not, you'll always look strong, but I know on the inside you do feel, you do care, and you do love people."
"And you think I'm cute."
"With a face like that how could I not."
"Sarabi thinks I'm skinny doesn't she, since she's so... big."
"She never said that, and don't make negative assumptions, they hurt your feelings without tangible reason."
"Kukuza, tell me more."
"About you?"
"What did you think would happen?"
"Between us?"
Zira nodded her head to signal her 'yes' response.
"I always thought we'd be happy, that one day you'd love me, but it never worked. We had everything, a pride, an heir, but it all fell apart."
"You don't blame me do you?"
"Never, but others might not agree with me."
"What do you think can still happen, between us?"
Did she want to be with him? Maybe not. But she didn't want him with anyone else. Especially Sarabi.
"I don't know what could happen, I don't even know if Simba will let you stay."
"We could go far away, somewhere nice and have that pride again."
"I don't think so, that dream is just too far away."
"You'd be the king, I'd be the queen, Kovu would be the prince. We could find him a princess and be happy together."
"It would be no different from before, you'd still sleep far away from me, I'd still gossip all day because I have no purpose, I wouldn't do anything- you'd run the pride, and I'd sit alone."
"Not true!"
"Zira, what do you know about me?"
"What?"
"As a mate, what do you know about me? What do I like?"
"You..."
Zira couldn't think of anything.
"You like the hindquarters of antelope because its firm, but you prefer the left leg over the right because its less tough. You only sleep on warm rocks, you hate it when there's dust in your fur or scraps in your teeth, your claws are permanently extended, your eyes are red, you think pouncing is fun, exercise important, and your favorite nickname is..."
"Alright Kukuza! You know me well."
"That I do, years of watching and trying led to quite the bank of information... Peaches."
Zira blushed for a second, she hated that name. It would be cute if they were younger, but they weren't young anymore, she wasn't young anymore, and with the death of her youth died the name peaches.
"I'm not your peaches Kukuza and I do care about you."
"Do you."
A statement, not a question. He didn't care anymore, she didn't have it in her, those things he thought he saw before were false, creations of his dreamscape that never existed.
"Kukuza?"
"Yes."
"Why... do Kovu and Vitani know who's their real father?"
His eyes grew large, why the hell would she ask this?
"They probably think he's just some guy who showed up from Coventry. It's not like he was the one who helped you through all of your pregnancies, loved you, cared about you, protected you, hunted for you, anything like that."
His words smacked her like cannon fire. No one ever loved her like he did, and she let him go over her own stupid ideas. Killing Kopa, how dumb and spontaneous, just to peeve Nala too.
"But if we... if you told them, wouldn't they want us to be together like a family?"
I won't tell them."
"The lion who loved me would..."
"The guy who was in love with you? I could go get him, he wants to shake you, and tell you to pay attention to him, because he's too far gone- maybe."
"Well tell him I can be different."
"He says you can't be."
"But I will!"
"No you won't."
"So now I can talk to him?"
"You have been Zira! I didn't say I love you because I like to see you hurt! I said it because it was true!"
"But I think I love you too!"
"You lie to my face!"
Kukuza released his words with speed and accuracy, their slick and nimble sounds stabbing her with fiery rage and sorrow, he had gone from her, no longer desiring what was rightfully his.
Zira was becoming desperate, she needed him back. Was he to far gone? No! Kukuza had, somewhere deep in his heart, a trace outline of what loving Zira felt like. With cultivation and the right seduction, it could be coaxed to strong life like a warrior.
"But I do love you! We can still be happy!"
"I am happy!"
"But I'm not!"
"You built your own throne, now sit in it Zira."
He turned his head to peer in a different direction, no longer wanting to see her eyes. Eyes were his soft spot in more ways then one. Zira was beautiful, and her eyes could make him melt when they looked sad.
Zira had more then sad eyes, a lust for Kukuza was building. She wanted him. Zira always did this, she wanted the things she couldn't have. Kukuza was the object of those desires, and in time he would fulfill his destiny with her.
WITH SARABI, SARAFINA, AND SIMBA
"Sarabi come on! If we're going to follow him we should go now! They left over an hour ago!"
Said Sarafina with haste and determination on her sweet voice. She never approved of anything Kukuza did, or wanted to do, but his being with Sarabi was by far the best decision he had ever made, and that awful woman wouldn't ruin a damned thing.
"I just don't know Sara, he'll be so disappointed in me if he found out I didn't trust him."
Said Sarabi with a large pout. She did trust him, but she didn't trust Zira, and that woman would stab Kukuza's soft heart with ease.
"Mom?"
Sarabi and Sarafina looked up at Simba, who had now decided to speak.
"Yes Simba?"
Said both the woman as they peaked around to see the king with his thinking face on.
Simba's mane flow gently in the light wind, his paws lying across each other peacefully.
"I haven't said much about your new relationship with Kukuza, but mom, you should go after him. He loves you, and if you're happy then that's what's right, he'll understand."
"What are you saying Simba?"
"I'm saying that I approve of your happiness. It's not quite right to me when you said you loved him more then dad, but that doesn't matter. How do you feel around Kukuza mom?"
"It's like magic Simba."
"Then don't let Zira steal that magic away, because she doesn't deserve it."
"Come on Sarabi let's go."
Said Sarafina in a soft whisper, her muzzle close to Sarabi's ear.
"Thank you son, that means a lot to me."
"Go on, Zira could be saying anything right now."
Sarabi smiled at her son, full of pride, he had turned out marvelous, even if she didn't have the chance to raise him. But one day, maybe soon, she'd have the chance to raise another cub, a real one, maybe a girl!
"Come on Sarabi, stay low, don't let anyone see you."
Sarafina and Sarabi snuck around the other lionesses, not wanting to be seen, shortly after passing the congregation of woman, the two were stopped by a friendly face.
"Hun! What are you doing here?"
Said Sarafina in a panicked tone, she calmed down instantly, not wanting to seem overly stressed.
"I know where you're going."
"You didn't see anything."
Said Sarafina threateningly.
"Please don't tell them Hun."
Said Sarabi pleadingly, her head held low and her voice cracking with vulnerability.
"I won't, Zira's trouble and he needs someone in his life other then her, or he'll go insane."
"What do you mean?"
Said Sarabi, willing to spare the time to hear what Hun had to say.
"When he's alone, he gets really sad, he needs someone to be with, that's why he's so cuddly, all those years as a rogue took a toll on his mind."
"You think so?"
Said Sarafina in disbelief.
"Whenever someone goes away for to long, he gets really worked up, one time Kovu wandered off and he was upset all day."
"But Zira left and he seemed fine."
"He had you Sarabi, he just needs someone."
"Are you telling me Sarabi was just a place holder in his life? That he just needs someone, anyone, in his life or he'll curl up and die?"
Yelled Sarafina, mad at the thought of Kukuza just using Sarabi, even if he had done it accidentally and because he was mentally fragile.
"Sara, Sarabi, you're more then just a bookmark, he loves you more then you could ever know, and since you love him back, he won't leave you."
Said Hun reassuringly.
"You and your mother must have spent a lot of time with Kukuza."
Said Sarabi sweetly.
"We did, I never met my father, but he and my mother were very close."
"You know Hun, when you were young, we used to sit with Imara and talk all day long, and she told us your father was a rogue named Zuri. He's pretty mysterious, and that's all I know factually. When your mother... died, she left you with him?"
Asked Sarabi, kindly giving Hun some of her family history.
"I was old enough to be my own lion, he helped me be the warrior I am."
"Thank you Hun, for everything, this means so much to me."
Said Sarabi with the genuine tone of a concerned queen on her tongue.
"Yes, thank you Hun."
Added Sarafina.
"And this is all secret stuff, he'd be devastated if anyone knew he was so frail, especially you Sarabi, he tries really hard to look good around you."
"Thank you Hun, this'll be our little secret."
"Come on Sarabi, we need to get moving!"
"Wait! Later, could you tell me more about my parents? Anything! Even rumors. Please?" Begged Hun.
"Of coarse, just not now."
Responded Sarafina, pulling her friend with her as they continued to walk.
The two woman ran with determination toward the scent of Kukuza. Oranges and pine needles. He smelt like no other, so clean and refreshing you couldn't mistake him for anything or anyone else.
"Shh! We're here!"
Said Sarafina, seeing Kukuza's backside as he sat, facing Zira who was facing Sarafina head on.
They were talking, no, they were arguing! Like dogs swiping at each others' muzzles for territory.
"Everything's fine Sara, he's not falling for her, that's for sure."
"No! We need to stay and see it all."
Said Sarafina quietly and definitely, wanting to see who stormed off first.
"Zira you have no one to blame but yourself."
Said Kukuza flatly.
"Why would I ever overlook you, I feel so foolish."
Said Zira with a mix of genuine and deceitful attitude.
"You overlooked me for power, power you never even got anyway, you only got used, disgraced, and widowed."
"That's a little harsh on me Kukuza."
"You were harsh on me for years, deal with it."
"I could still be your queen you know, we work, whether you believe it or not we work, Simba isn't that strong, you could take him. Maybe he'd even step down because he likes you so much."
"We can never do such things, I will never be king, I just don't want to. Kovu is a prince, and if he can't be king then I'll live with that, and so will you. Besides, there's always the title of Lord."
"If Kovu is to be Lord, then you're the Duke you do realize this?"
"Formally speaking yes, and when I die he may be Duke."
"Does Simba even know these rules and laws? I think not." Said Zira with prideful confidence and unfounded zeal.
"If he does not, then I will teach him; besides, he has me, and I know them, and I will teach Kovu and Nuka."
"You're so incredibly wise Kukuza, can't we be happy and calm like this all the time? Talking about the things we like to talk about side by side?"
Zira could feel her list growing higher and higher, she wanted him.
The wind shifted, now blowing toward Zira's face and traveling with the grain on Zira's fur.
"Move move move!"
Sarabi and Sarafina tried desperately to get out of the wind before someone smelt them.
Zira had a light trace of something on her tongue, it just wasn't the same as everything else. Maybe we're being watched, I should do something!
It was a win win situation for Zira no matter what, if she did something and someone saw her, she'd make them mad, and if she did something and no one was actually there, she'd at least calm her lust.
"You're so handsome Kukuza, why didn't we ever fool around?"
So they didn't fool around...
Thought Sarafina, still unsure if Zira had smelt her.
"I don't fool around, I fall in love, then I make love."
"We could try that."
"Falling in love? You're to late."
Tell her Kukuza! Although, he hasn't made any love to me yet...
Thought Sarabi, also hoping Zira hadn't smelt her.
"Not the falling, the making, maybe if we did it backwards you'd fall for me all over again and everything could be the way it should be."
Both Sarabi and Sarafina were rife with the same four words: oh no she didn't.
Zira did, and was.
Zira was strutting her stuff, offering everything she had, desperately selling her body to win what was hers.
"My system is precise, there will be no exceptions."
"Kovu and Vitani were exceptions."
"Don't you dare say that! I loved you so much... And then we made cubs! There's nothing wrong with that."
Yelled Kukuza, swallowing hard afterwards.
"Have you mated with her yet?"
"No."
"Have you mated with me yet?"
"You know it wasn't real, we mated out of necessity."
"But you loved me, so you owe me one."
Damn! Zira was right to an extent, he loved her for years and never expressed himself with her physically. He did owe her, or did he want to owe her? Was he finding an excuse, a technicality to justify adultery on Sarabi. No! He wouldn't do anything.
"Zira..."
His voice sounded hot and needy, he didn't have the ability to finish what he was going to say, just the calling of her name pushed Zira over the edge, she leaped up and forward, smacking her muzzle against his with a little more force then either of them could appreciate.
Kukuza's head cocked back, trying to pull out of the kiss, Zira's tongue trying with might to enter beyond his teeth and into his mouth. Kukuza had never open mouth kissed before. This would be the first time.
He pulled back, grey eyes large and open and cracking like glass from the pressure. He had wanted for years for this to happen, for her to touch him lovingly when there was light in the sky and she wasn't drunk on obligation.
Kukuza's eyes drifted closed slowly, his mind unable to stop them, his head lean into the kiss at an angle and his mouth open slowly, forced open with greater speed by Zira's pushing him. He loved it, but it was wrong. Damn love! His mind was a cluster, he didn't want to kiss her, yet here he was, doing exactly that. Why must men be so susceptible to physical stimuli?
Sarabi neatly leapt forward, but the shock and cracks on her heart prevented her from jostling her body, paws shaking with rage.
Sarafina's mouth was open- he did fall into the trap. He would now and forever, fall into traps like this one.
Zira had her eyes closed, lost deep in the lust of the moment. She hoped that that strange smell she smelt was Sarabi, if it was, she'd see all of this, maybe she'd cry and leave him! He would be hers again!
"Zira!"
Mumbled Kukuza, unable to talk with 200% more tongue then usual in his mouth. The rational side of his brain was taking over again, and he was angry.
He stood up, removing her from him quickly, his cracked grey eyes chopping Zira up like razors.
"Zira! Never do that again! You're too late, I love Sarabi, and this is not right! You can't just kiss me like you could have for all those years! I'm done with you! I love those cubs, and you'll always hold a special place in my heart, but I love Sarabi and this isn't fair to me or her that you'd do this!"
"You liked it!"
"For only a moment I was weak, i let my bad side take over, but it won't ever happen again! Not with you!"
"But..."
"No buts Zira, goodbye, only talk to me if you want to apologize or talk about our cubs, that's it from now on!"
Kukuza was backing away from her, closer and closer to where Sarabi and Sarafina were sitting. Listening in silent to his monologue.
Sarafina was proud he was standing up for what was right and maintaining his loyalties with integrity, promising to take care of his children (which to her shock, she had just learned were indeed actually his by blood) while also cutting off his relations with Zira, pledging his undying love for Sarabi.
Sarabi was shaking with joy, yes he kissed Zira, but look at him now! He regretted it and felt like he betrayed her, he loved her!
Kukuza had ended years of relationship building to be with her, and that meant a lot.
Kukuza was still walking backwards, he stumbled when he reached Sarabi, who lie stone still, so emotional she couldn't move.
"Sarabi!"
What had she heard? How long... Oh kings above the kiss! That damned...
"I love you! I knew you'd stand by me!"
Sarabi tackled him to the ground, nuzzling his mane and kissing his face happily, giggling and blushing.
"I love you too Sarabi but please!"
He had promised this time to Zira, and now Zira was being forced to watch the man she wanted in happy relations with a woman she didn't particularly like.
"Get off of him Sarabi right now!"
Sarabi looked up to see Zira looking over her, she was upset and angry and sad and defeated.
"Zira I didn't know they'd be here honestly!"
Sadi Kukuza, knowing that part of Zira's anger was because of the interruption.
"I believe you, but why would you do this? I'm gone for a few months so I can calm down and be more like you wanted me to be, and once I get back I find you cuddled up with her."
"Zira please! I'm in love and you should respect my emotions!"
"She can't give you cubs Kukuza! I know you want them more then anything and she can't give them to you."
"Yes she can! and if she can't, then that's a sacrifice I will accept but you will not speak badly of my Sarabi, especially while she's standing right here!"
Sarabi stepped up from behind him, placing herself by his side and starring down Zira with equal confidence to match Kukuza's. he was sad he had to talk to Zira this way and make her feel so cornered, but things happen.
"You know where to find me when you're done playing pretend! And Sarabi, he's mine! I was there first so stay the hell away from him!"
Zira turned on her back paws, red eyes hot like a mess. She'd be crying, but the tears evaporated before they could fall from such burning aggression and frustration.
She trot off, walking with her head held falsely high and her eyes falsely dry. Zira wasn't watching where she was going, why should she? There was nothing left in this world for her. Even her cubs had a new mommy.
Zira continued to walk deeper and deeper into the pride lands, past mounds of resting lions and eventually into the den, the heart of the pride. As she stepped angrily onward, hoping to find something to vent her feelings at, she found exactly that when she tripped over something soft and warm, a teenager.
"Umph!"
Zira fell to the ground, both of her front paws tripping over someone, Hun.
It jumped back at her touch, Hun wasn't paying attention either. She was thinking about her parents.
"Oh! Zira, um, what happened to you?"
"Hun what's gotten into him? You're his best friend and he's completely different!"
"No he's not, he's exactly the same, he's just decided you're not going to be in his life anymore."
"That's not fair! How do you know all of this? Were you listening?"
"No, Sarabi told me."
"Does she love him or is she..."
"She loves him, and you didn't, so he moved on."
"But I do want him!"
"He doesn't want to be wanted Zira! He wants to be loved!"
Hun snapped at Zira, frustrated with her naively to the situation.
"I can love him if he let me try..."
"You had years to try Zira. You're to late."
"But the kids! Our cubs and the cub he wants... He can't have one with her!"
"Funny that my cubs turned into our cubs so quickly."
"Things change."
"Is that what you told him?"
"Yes."
"And he hated that response didn't he."
"He didn't believe me."
"I know, you lie to him enough, he'll never believe you."
"But I don't lie!"
"Zira, he loved you, you had a chance to be with him and only him, but you chose Scar, if you regret that decision, you have no one to blame but yourself."
"But he must still care?"
"Of coarse he does, just not about you."
"Shut up damn you! He cares about me!"
Some of the pride land and Outland lioness' had heard the nearby fighting and yelling, out of character they darted away from the den were the commotion was being raised, not willing to become insnared with Kukuza's ex wife Zira. But Kukuza was different, as they fled, he walked on, closer and closer to what must be a lethal situation.
"First it was your mother, then Nala, then me, then Sarafina, then me again, then Sarabi, he changed his mind more often then any lion I've ever met!"
"You're exaggerating to mask the truth! He'd only ever had eyes for you until you wore him so thin he walked away."
"He never had eyes for me! He's blind remember."
"I can see just fine peaches."
Hun peaked around Zira's thin body, seeing Kukuza standing there with Sarabi by his side and Sarafina not far behind him.
Hun was surprised.
Did he just call Zira peaches?
Zira stood there, she closed her eyes and pretended to be somewhere else. Kukuza used to do it all the time until he met Sarabi, there was no need for a dream world when you're living in the best dream imaginable with the best woman in existence, and friends to boot.
"But you cannot actually see."
Said Zira softly, wanting to be the winner of this argument, but she knew she was wrong.
"What I see is a beautiful lioness who's acting like a spoiled cub. Get on with life, you have everything I want, yet there you stand, so unhappy."
"But I want someone too you crazy grey fool! I don't want to be alone either!"
"You're not alone."
"Liar, and a bad one at that."
"You have me as a friend, and if you play nice you could have so much more."
"I should have never touched that cub, everything would still be perfect if..."
"Things were far from perfect peaches, Kopa was an intersection, I went one way and you another, there's no turning back now."
"Leave him alone Zira, he loves me and we're happy." Said Sarabi with some pride and confidence, but with a coolness that wouldn't offend Zira.
"I deserve alimony."
"What? That's not even a thing."
Said Sarafina, knowing alimony was a shotty law made by a shotty king a long time ago.
"It is a thing! He left me and he didn't have a reason!"
"My reason is clear, you didn't..."
"But I did! I did damn you!"
"You did not love me."
"What was I to do? You know how I grew up! My father killed my mother and I had to watch! I'm not as loving and emotional as you!"
"I grew up all alone after I watched my parents die at the hands of some awful lions! My brother ran off and I can't find him, and then I threatened and beat lions to keep your dead husband happy! So don't say you had it worse then me!"
"You saw your parents die?"
Asked Sarabi in a very amazed tone.
"Please Sarabi, I've got issues deeper then most gorges."
"She doesn't know anything about you! I'm not a genius but I know you belong with me more then you do her, she's used."
"And what are you? Scar didn't count?"
Hun stared on in amazement, Zira had three kids from two different males and two unhappy mate-ships of her own.
"Don't judge me! You were there and you..."
"And I what? I let you make bad decisions? We are incredibly fortunate those cubs are as perfect as they are!"
"What we? You don't care!"
"I've always cared! I've done things so tremendous you could never comprehend them! I was always in the right place at the right time to do the right thing and everything I did was to protect you!"
"Like what?" Said Zira in a angry and spiteful tone, upset that he'd stoop so low.
"I won't say, if I did say even one thing you'd cry and cry because of its depth, there are things I've done right under your nose and you don't even know!"
"You want me to say it and mean it? Fine. I love you! I don't want to be with you but I need to be with you because you're everything that holds me together! So get away from her and her thick head and come home with me!"
"Zira, I wanted to be with you, but I need Sarabi, because she holds me together, and you tear me apart. The honest truth, I don't think you..."
"You don't deserve him you bitch!"
Sarabi leapt forward, whipping Zira across her muzzle and knocking her to the ground. Zira was bleeding lightly, the crimson drops trickling into her mouth like copper pools of despise and loathing.
"Get off of me!"
"He's mine now go somewhere else you home wrecker!"
Sarabi hit Zira again, she fell to the ground and couldn't stand any longer, Zira was defeated. The circle of life had spoken, and Sarabi had come out on top, she would be his and there was nothing Zira could do to stop it now.
Unless of coarse someone did stop it, and he did.
"Sarabi, get off of Zira! What's gotten into you?"
Said Kukuza softly, yet his tone was demanding and she obeyed, but questioned him nonetheless.
"But she..."
"I have never, struck any woman, especially you two whom I care most about, and I won't let you beat up on each other! It's not fair to anyone, you should be friends."
"She tried to kill Kopa, and now he's missing and she so conveniently..."
"Zira had nothing to do with that, she does a lot of things but she doesn't lie to me."
"Kukuza, I can never be friends with her."
"I want you to get along, and if you care about me, and if you care about me, you'll at least be civilized."
Said Kukuza, holding Sarabi's chin on his shoulder, speaking to her first and then referring to the skinny woman who was lying on the ground not far from them.
"She hit me, you saw!"
"You said I was blind peaches, so I didn't see."
"But... You're a tricky lion Kukuza."
Said Zira, unsure how she felt about him being like this, wanting to be friends.
You can't just be friends! Either love me or don't!
"I... If there's one thing you could have done, you should have kept him away from her. My life is ruined and you did nothing to help me."
Said Zira to Hun menacingly. Hun did have a chance to keep Kukuza away from Sarabi, but never did.
Hun replied with sass and confidence.
"You would never have helped me if our roles were reversed."
"But Kukuza would have, and now his families torn apart."
"It hasn't been torn apart, you've just been kicked out of it."
"Hun, stop antagonizing Zira. She's not kicked out of anything."
Said Sarabi, trying to be a friend like Kukuza wanted.
"I can defend myself!"
Yelled Zira at Sarabi, but she realized she was supposed to be civilized, and if she wanted to be a good girl she'd be nicer.
"I mean, thank you for the help, but I can handle her."
Sarabi rolled her eyes, half annoyed at Zira for snapping, but at least she was trying to be better.
There the four lions stood, facing off like trains on the same track, the collision would be deadly, but luckily now they were both mutually agreed in the way of fighting, but now, standing, waiting for something to happen. Someone to speak.
"Zira?"
Said Kukuza quietly, his tone and intentions unclear at this point.
"What now? I've had enough for one day."
"The cubs."
"What about them?"
"They're mine." Said Kukuza firmly.
"No, I gave birth, they're mine."
"They love you Zira, but they will be happier with me."
"What are you saying?"
"You can't stay here. Simba won't allow it and neither will I, and when you leave, the cubs will stay here."
"You can't just banish me! Alone! Separating me from my family!"
Zira pleaded, she couldn't make him love her, or at least respect her, if she was far away.
"It must be done Zira, in time, a place will be found for you."
"What do you mean a place? You're going to send me out there all alone? Anything can happen to a woman who's all alone out there!"
"No one will touch you, because I care about you, I respect you, and you'll always be safe as long as I'm alive."
"But you banish me?"
"Not I, the king, and visiting would be allowed obviously, as you said, it's not just my family, it's also yours."
"Screw you, you... She... You are supposed to be mine! None of this is fair dammit! You fell for her, and I wasn't even around to stop it! No one helped me!"
"Zira..."
"No! Shut up you blind ass! I had a family, a pride, a husband and three cubs before she showed up! Now I have nothing! Don't ever talk to me again you piece of garbage!"
"Zira.."
Said Sarabi slowly, trying to ease the situation with kind and motivational words. Words she was never able to speak because of her being interrupted.
"Quiet Sarabi! I've had quite enough of you! Go somewhere else, I need to talk to him alone."
"But Zira..."
"Get out Sarabi!"
Sarabi looked over to Kukuza for confirmation, his eyes read such trouble and sorrow they could pull the world down with there weight. Kukuza signaled for her to go, that it would be alright if she stepped out for a minute so Zira could say something private. After taking several slow withdrawing steps backwards, Sarabi exited the den, looking back as she left the visual range to make sure everything was alright.
"That means you too Sara."
Said Kukuza silently, drawing a surprised look from his friend, she stepped back, eventually leaving just like Sarabi.
"Hold me."
That's all Zira could say before she started crying, deep and heavy sobs of complete flowed from her irritated eyes, and her legs quivered, unwilling to hold her up. Kukuza moved slowly to her side, letting her lean on him as they both sat down, her sniffling and moaning were quiet, but the wincing of her emotional pain was significant.
"I've got you, don't worry I've got you."
"Kukuza, everything is gone! There's nothing left for me..." Zira shuddered with emotion, a hurricane of melancholy ripping through her soul, the scent of dead flowers on her nose.
"Don't say that darling, you have everything to live for."
"Like what?"
"The day when our daughter, or maybe our son stand on that very perch, and roar for everyone."
Zira sniffled, smiling.
"Now I really wish Kopa were here."
"Me too, I'll find him."
"What?"
Zira was confused, he said he'd declare an emergency but what did he mean?
"Tomorrow will be my last day here, I'm going to go out and find him myself."
"What!" Shouted Zira, now very angry, tears entirely evaporated. "You're leaving! All that fuss over Sarabi and now you're just going to leave!"
"I'll come back, and when I do I'll visit you first."
"That doesn't matter!" Yelled Zira, now standing threateningly over him. "I'm not so selfish to want you all for myself! As long as you have someone... even her! Now you're leaving her too? I won't allow that! Does she know?"
"Not as much as you do."
"She needs to know! You're only going to spend one more day with her and she doesn't even know! Time is supposed to be precious Kukuza!"
"I was going to tell everyone tonight!"
"No! Tell her right now!"
Zira stormed out of the den, a hot and melting mess without purpose or meaning.
As she stood at the perch of pride rock, some lioness' looked up, seeing the distraught woman standing there. Zira didn't like this.
"What are you looking at!"
She screamed, her words forcing their gazes elsewhere, but their thoughts held firm, as would their gossip, to contain Zira related information. Not moments ago, Zira had put everything aside. Not worrying about herself. She was worried for Kopa, for Sarani, for Simba. She knew she couldn't have him, but to also know that Sarabi wouldn't be able to have him either? Even for a little while, that's not fair.
"Zira..."
Said Sarabi, walking up behind her slowly.
"Yes?"
She was less hostile now. She felt like a mother about to tell her child the cat had run away, she needed to soften her up before she slapped her with the information she knew.
"I'm sorry I called you a bitch, it wasn't fair of me."
"I'm sorry about this, Sarabi, Kukuza is leaving."
"What?"
"He wants to go and find Kopa himself, and he's leaving to go look the day after tomorrow."
"Oh kings..."
"That's what I said! It's bad enough he won't love me, but now he's leaving you too."
"I need to go talk to him."