Seeking Council from the Great Kings, And The first day in the Hill Lands
Simba sat at Kopa's rock, seeking council from the Great Kings of the Past. He was worried about letting Kovu stay in the Pride Lands. He was worried that he was allowing an opportunity for Scar to gain control from beyond the grave.
"Father, how can I trust him? He is a part of Scar, and I can't help but feel like, I don't know, something isn't right. I mean, the heir of the throne to Scar just happens to be right near by when the fire breaks out, just showing up in time to save her?" he asked the sky. The clouds began to shift as though a breeze had been carrying them into place.
"My son" they began to speak, forming an all-too familiar face. Simba smiled. "We must not only learn from the past, but forgive for it. He has done nothing to earn your distrust, yet you doubt him still. Tell me, Simba. Why?"
"Father, I lost you already, I cannot risk him being a threat. Wheather he shows it or not, he may be a danger to myself, and more importantly, my pride."
"Yes, well, there is something you must realize, my boy. Nobody is all bad. Nobody. I have forgiven Scar for his actions. He struggled for the longest time with his jealousy and anger. It was not his fault, or mine. I do not blame him. Do I think he could and should have approached it better? Yes. But, you cannot change the past, only the future. Give Kovu a reason to hate you, and he will. Give him a reason to like you, and you could be very well surprised by the outcome" Mufasa said. His voice was still as caring, yet demanding as ever. "Promise me, Simba. Promise me you will learn to accept whatever fate has in store for you. Deal with it however you must, but always accept it for what it is."
"I will...try. Father? Why hasn't Kopa contacted me?" Simba asked, a sense of hurt in his voice. "I come here to speak to him almost every night, yet he hasn't said anything back." Mufasa chuckled lightly.
"My son, I cannot tell you that. I am not an open book of answers. Some things happen for a reason. You'll see in time." Mufasa turned to the side and nodded. "Yes, come over. I'm sure he'd like a word with the two of you" he said to nobody, shifting further to the side as if to make room. Then, the stars began shifting and reviled two more figures.
"MOM! And...Scar?"
"Yes, surprised to see me up here? Imagine how I had felt when I was at the gates" he said with his signature Scar chuckle. "I must apologize for my actions, Simba. I was jealous, hateful, and never was the uncle you deserved. I always thought you were annoying, a brat" he continued, making Simba lower his ears in disappointment, "but I've realised that you were just being a cub and my animosity towards you was ill-deserved. I am truly, deeply sorry" he finished, whisping into the breeze, but not before wiping a tear from his eye. Simba was left in a deep shock of the statement. He stared wide-eyed at the space no longer occupied by Scar, deep in thought. There was a silence that rang over the land. It was soon broken, however, by the light clear of the throat. It was then that Simba had been reminded of his mother's presence.
"Mom! I haven't seen you in ages! What took you so long?" he asked with light humor in his voice.
"Well, apparently, you have to be here so long before granted access to the Ability of Earthly Connection. I just reached it today, and didn't hesitate to jump on board" she said with a smile. Just as I remember it Simba thought to himself. "Oh, Mufasa, he looks more like you every day" she said with an almost cooing tone, as if she was talking to a new born cub. She rubbed her head under her mate's chin.
"Yes, indeed he does" Mufasa said in almost a whisper. "My son, it is time for us to go. The gods are calling to us. Be strong! And remember your promise!" he said with a smile.
"We love you Simba. We always will" Sarabi said, wiping away a tear, just as Scar had.
"Goodbye! I love you too!" Simba shouted with a smile. She looks exactly as I remember her looking. I miss her, but I'm glad she is with dad again. He continued smiling. His gaze fell from the sky to the large rock five feet away from him. His smile turned to a frown. How much longer until he finally wants to see me? It happened two years ago, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. Will he even recognize me? Will anything be different? Simba let out a sigh and began to sing.
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven
Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way through night and day
'Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven
Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please, begging please
Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven
Simba began silently sobbing. Tears were flowing from his eyes faster than he could hold them back. He collapsed onto the stone, embracing it in a hug as though it were Kopa himself. A paw began to rub up and down his back. It startled him slightly, but he was instantly calmed when he saw who it was.
"I'm sure he misses you just as much as you miss him. Don't worry, someday you two will be together again" Sarafina spoke in her usual smooth and relaxing tone. "You were the best father you could be, and he was lucky to have you."
"No, I was the lucky one. He was so much like me, but at the same time, completely different. Sure, he loved having fun, running around, exploring, but he would also listen. I think he got that from my father" he said with a laugh. "He just went too soon. He was so young..."
"Yes, indeed he was. But Simba, there is something you must always remember. What happened was not your fault."
"I know it's not, but there is some part in the back of my mind that just won't accept it. There's just that tiny bit of doubt. That's why I'm so tough with Kiara. She is so much more disobedient. I just can't help but-"
"Simba, what you must realize is that she is almost an adult lioness. You cannot keep her under your watch forever. She'll need some space, and soon" she said. "Remember that." She began walking off leaving Simba to his thoughts. He let out a deep sigh.
"If only it were that easy..."
-out in the savannah-
Ajabu's eyes slowly opened themselves up, still deeply ridden with sleep. What time is it? She asked herself. She brought her gaze to the moon. Hmm...about an hour past midnight... she thought. Suddenly, something beside her shifted. Her pink eyes darted to her side where she saw Bahati lying. Her eyes widened as she remembered the day before. She shuddered. I can't believe they went through all of that for me...true friends. She had never had anyone risk their lives for her before and was deeply touched by this. I could never repay them. They took me in, allowed me to tag along, treat me as if they'd known me their entire lives, and save my life? I owe them mine...her thoughts were broken by a groan and a yawn.
"Mmm...Aj? What are you doing up?" Bahati asked. His eyes were half opened. His face radiating exhaustion.
"I just, got a little thirsty is all. Care to join me?" she asked with a smile.
"Yeah, yeah, sure" he said, rising tiredly to his feet. He began walking to he waterhole, stumbling with unbalanced feet. Ajabu giggled lightly at this and began following him. They walked for several minutes in silence. Ajabu could swear she had heard Bahati snoring as they walked. When they reached the waterhole, she even had to stop him from walking right in.
"You know, if you didn't want to come, you could have stayed back with Pembe..."she said.
"Well, if I stayed, who would save your butt?" he asked, laughing lightly. "Besides, I'm thirsty too."
"Yeah, about yesterday, I'm really grateful that you guys did that for me. I've never had anyone risk their life for me. Asante sana" she said with a bow. She took a few steps over towards him and gave him a nuzzle, rubbing her head under his chin.
"Hey, you're our friend. What choice did we have?" he asked jokingly. "You're part of our pride, and the pride sticks together, even if it means risking your life for someone else's." He returned the nuzzle. A pur escaped from her chest. She was truely happy. She finally found her place. Her madhumuni. A place she had truly felt accepted. She backed away and walked over to the edge of the waterhole and lowered her head for a drink. Bahati did the same. As the chilled water spilled down their throat, they couldn't help but get the feeling they were being watched.
A lioness stepped out from the grass behind them. She was a dark brown with bright yellow eyes. Her stomach was swollen with pregnancy.
"And what exactly are you two doing here?" she asked with a growl. Bahati and Ajabu jumped in fright, turning towards the source of the voice.
"N-not to be rude or anything, but where is here?" Bahati asked. As she saw his face, a look of recognition appeared on her face.
"Simba? You don't even recognize me?" she asked.
"Umm...I'm not Simba..." he said. A look of embarrassment came across her face.
"Oh...sorry...you just look like an old friend" she felt the skin under her fur begin to heat up. She was very easily embarrassed.
"Hey, don't worry about it. King Chumvi said the same thing" he said with a smile.
"Wait, you know Chum?" she asked with excitement.
"Yeah, we actually just left his kingdom a night ago, but ran into some...difficulties" he said, glancing over to Ajabu.
"Um, not to be rude, but who are you?" Ajabu asked with a nervous tone.
"Oh, forgive me. I am Queen Kula. My husband is King Malka. We are the rulers of the Hill Lands. We are to the North of the Pride Lands. That's where King Simba lives. There is a kingdom in between ours called the Grass Lands. So, what brings you to my kingdom?"
"Well, we weren't even aware this was a kingdom. My friend here, Ajabu, was taken by some men in a truck and we saved her. We ran and fell asleep not too far from here. My sister is still sleeping back at the tree" Bahati answered.
"Well, that sounds about right. We have lost quite a few of our pride to these humans. I understand your troubles. Why don't you stay with us for a while? Until the heat from that dies down. The humans should be gone in a week or so, and there is a better chance of you guys making it if you have a pride to help you. Why don't the two of you come with me and stay in our den until this whole thing blows over? You can bring your sister too."
"Y-you'd let us stay? Just like that?" Ajabu asked. This was her first time going to another pride.
"Well, why wouldn't I? You seem to pose no threat, and you've suffered something we've been suffering. It's only fair I try to help you through these times, seeing as how we are in the same boat on this one. Now, fetch your sister and meet me back here Bahati." With a nod, Bahati turned around to get Pembe. Kula leaned over to Ajabu and whispered in her ear. "Quite a handsome mate you've got yourself, there." Ajabu's eyes widened at this.
"Oh, no he isn't my mate. We're just friends" she replied nervously.
"Yeah, just friends" Kula said with an eyebrow cocked.
"Well, I mean, I guess I kinda like him, but he has a girl, somewhere" Ajabu said with a disappointed tone.
"What do you mean?" Kula asked.
"Well, when he was young, he was in an accident. He couldn't remember anything from his past. His sister is from an adoptive family. They found him on a river bank, nursed him back to health, and took him in. They were traveling across Poacher's Plain when their mother was killed. They decided to travel around and stumbled across my pride in the Marsh Lands. They said they wanted to travel from pride to pride, meeting new people and stuff. Now and then he has these flashbacks from his past. The only ones he has though revolve around this one girl. Her name is Vitani." At this, Kula's eyes widened. "And she...you OK?"
"No..I have no idea" she lied. Her face contorted into a look of confusion"I-is that an elephant?" Kula asked, leaning to the side to get a view of what was behind Ajabu. Pembe walked out of the grass surrounding the waterhole. Bahati was at her side.
"Yes, your majesty. She is my sister. She is the one who foun me on the river bank. Her and mom helped me. I heard Aj telling you about it. When they found me, I had cuts and gashed all over me and half a tail. I have no idea who did this or why, but I have a pretty good idea. This girl, Vitani, is the one and only thing I can remember"he said with an almost saddened voice.
"Well, why don't we head back to the den? I think we all could use a little sleep" Kula said, trying to change the subject. "Follow me" she said, beginning to walk the way she had come from. The three followed suit.
"Who's she?" Pembe whispered to Bahati.
"She's the queen. Her name is Kula. Apparently, we ran to her kingdom yesterday. We told her about Ajabu's capture, and she said that has been happening to her pride for quite some time, and has offered to let us stay here until the humans leave. She said it could take a week or so" he whispered back.
"Well, how very generous" Pembe said with a grin.
"Yeah. Hey, guess what she said to me" he said to her, still whispering.
"What?"
"She said I look like this Simba guy. Pretty weird, huh?"
"Yeah, really weird. Maybe we should check it out sometime?" she said with a yawn.
"Yeah I guess" he said, returning a yawn himself.
"Will you two hurry up?" Ajabu shouted back to them. Pembe and Bahati had fallen quite far behind Ajabu and Kula. They noticed this and quickened their pace, eager to find a place to fall back asleep. Soon enough, they reached the den.
"OK, you three wait out here. I have to tell Malka about you. I'll come back out for you when I get the OK. OK?" Kula said the trio. They nodded back to her. Kula walked back into the den. A few minutes passed and she came back out."Alright, well, it took some convincing, but you're good to go. Come on inside. Just, you know, watch your step. Don't want an angry lioness on your bad side, do ya?" she asked with a chuckle. She walked back inside and the other three followed. She pointed to a corner. "You three sleep here. Now, goodnight" she said, turning and walking to her mate, lying down and falling asleep. The three assumed the normal sleeping arrangements. Pembe was the first to lay down, her side against the wall. Bahati was side by side with her, and Ajabu side by side with him. The three drifted off to sleep, wanting to take in as much as the few hours before sunrise they had left.
Ajabu was the last to wake up. She looked around herself to find everyone had left the den besides her. She stood up groggily. She was by no means ready to start the day. She let out a big yawn, stretching her forelegs and extending her claws. She walked casually outside of the den. She saw Bahati and Pembe talking with a rather large lion. She decided to join them, but her trip was cut short.
"HI! OOH! YOUR FUR! IT'S SO WHITE! YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL! yOU MUST BE AJABU. I'M HARAKATI! I WAS NAMED THAT BECAUSE IT MEANS MOVEMENT" the lioness no older than a year old spoke quickly as she bounded around Ajabu. Ajabu smiled and giggled lightly at the young lioness' energy. "I WOULD ALWAYS GET AWAY FROM MY MOM WHEN I WAS LITTLE AND SHE WOULD ALWAYS YELL AT ME BUT I'D FORGET. WHAT BRINGS YOU HERE? WHO'S THAT GUY? IS HE YOUR MATE? HE'S CUTE. IS HE SINGLE? HE HAS A LOT OF MUSCLE AND-"
"OK Hara, I don't think we shold overwhelm our guests just yet. Run along now" a red lioness said to the yearling. Harakati tan off and she could barely be heard energetically conversing with another pride member. The red lioness smiled and shook her head. "Ball of fire, that one. Hi, I'm Aina, Hara's mother" she said, extending a paw. Ajabu reached forward and shook it.
"I'm Ajabu" she replied nervously.
"Ah, no name has ever suited anyone as perfectly as yours. That pelt, truely is a wonder. It makes you unique" Aina said. Ajabu began to blush. It was quite noticable through her fur.
"Th-thank you. But you should try telling my father that" she said with a pained chuckle.
"Hey, Aj! It's about time you got up! I thought you were going to sleep all day!" Bahati joked with her.
"Well, I wouldn't expect you to understand the concept of 'beauty sleep' " she said back, licking a paw and running it through her fur. The others around them began to chuckle lightly. Ajabu looked on with a smile.
"Ah, so you're Ajabu. Quite a wonder indeed. I'm Malka. Welcome to the Hill Lands. I'm sorry about the kidnapping. It has been happening far to much. Why, a lioness of ours was taken just the day before last. Anita, poor thing. She was pregnant. Gods only know what has been done..." his eyes grew from a cheery welcoming to a deep depression. He stared for a few seconds. He shook his head to clear it out, then his eyes returned that cheery look. "Well, anyway, once again, welcome. What's ours is yours. Hunt as you need, drink as you need."
"Thank you very much, King Malka" Ajabu said with a bow. He nodded in response and began to walk off.
"Kula, I'm off to patrol the borders. I'll be back later" he said, giving his queen a lick on the cheek and continuing away.
"King Malka? Would you mind if I joined? I've been around women my whole life, and quite frankly, II need a break" he said. He heard a growl and an angry trumpet. He turned around to see his two companions glaring as him maliciously. "Oh, act like you aren't relieved."
"You certainly can join" Malka responded, preventing further conflict. As Bahati walked up beside him, he wrapped a paw around his neck and pulled him in close. "Between you and me, I need a break too. Why else would I spend half of my day in the blistering heat? It's certainly not for my health I can tell you that. Trust me, when you're king of a pride with several pregnant lionesses that only come to yo with their troubles, you tend to find yourself trying to get as much distance as possible" he said. Bahati erupted with laughter. Malka joined.
"You know, darling, you've never been a good whisperer" a voice said from behind. The queen huffed impatiently.
"Oh no. RUN FOR IT KID!" Malka shouted, bolting off towards the border. Bahati followed suit, laughing all the way. Before they were just out of earshot, Kula decided to threaten.
"You can run all you want, but you gotta come home sometime!" she mocked. The two just continued running. Their laughter was becoming less and less audible as the distance between them grew. Kula just laughed quietly, turning to Ajabu and Pembe. "Sure, he's grown up, but deep down inside, he's still a cub. I love that" she said with a light pur. "When you find the one, never let 'em go" she said to the girls. "Find the one guy that always makes you feel special, tells you he loves you, and just all around cares." She walked away, leaving the two girls blushing lightly.
"Well, that was...interesting" Pembe said. She turned to face Ajabu. She was pink all over. It was easily visible through her white fur.
"Yeah...interesting..." she said with a far off look. "Had a guy like that once. He was my best friend back when I was in Chum's pride. He was a rogue, but I'd always meet with him just outside the border and hang out with him. I ended up falling in love with him. One day, I finally told him. He got all nervous, so I though, ya know, 'hey, maybe he likes me back'. Heh, wanna know what he told me? He looks me straight in the eyes and says, 'Look, Aj, I like you, but just not like that. I can be your friend, but I mean, what would people think if they saw us, you know, together?' Sounds like true love right?" she said with a scoff. "You know, I really don't understand why people have to be so judgemental just because of how someone looks. I mean, I'm white. I got kicked out of my old pride by my own father, my heart-broken, and I can't even hunt. I mean, I'm pretty much..."she sat down "...useless..." Her eyes teared up. She felt something rest itself on her back. She turned her head to see that Pembe's trunk was rubbing through her fur.
"Hey, he was a jerk. You would be better off with someone who is actually nice. Not someone worried about appearances. I mean, there has to be someone who likes your pelt, or sees you for who you truly are. I mean, hey, you've got a great personality, you're caring, kind. I mean, hey, color is just a visual, right? It's what's on the inside that counts. And sister, you've got a great inside" Pembe said. She put her trunk under Ajabu's chin and lifted her face to lock eyes with her. She wiped the tear-ridden eyes dry and smiled. "Promise me you won't give up." Ajabu sniffled.
"I promise" she said with a smile. "Pembe, your wisdom truly does go past your years. You are always so good at giving advice. How do you do it?" Pembe chuckled.
"Well, now, if I told you how to do that, you wouldn't need me anymore to make you feel better, would you" she said with a playful shove. "Come on, let's go find some food. I'm starving."
Chapter Twenty one. Tell me what you think. This has the first song I've put in this story. I felt it was a good way for him to truly express himself. Eric Clapton Wrote 'Tears In Heaven' for his son who died at a very young age. He is asking if with all the time that has passed, he would even know if he has his father. This song has deep personal meaning to me, and I couldn't figure a better way to put it.