I own only Churo (Swahili for 'unlucky'), and Jahina (Swahili for 'bold').
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Sarabi watched the cave entrance, intently, waiting for Churo to emerge. For a few moments, she wondered what Scar would make of the cubs, but banished the thoughts when she felt her anger rising at the possibilities.
When Churo finally did emerge cub in mouth, she looked distraught, so Sarabi immediately went over, and asked "what's wrong?"
Between sobs, Churo managed to whisper, "stillborn."
Sarabi was shocked for a moment, then embraced Churo, and whispered, "I'm so sorry,"
After some time, they parted, and Sarabi managed to coax Churo into following her to where she was sure Sarafina had taken Jahina, and possibly Nala. When they reached the location, sure enough, the three lionesses were there.
The moments she saw the state Churo was in, Jahina raced over, and asked, "mother, what's wrong?"
"What happened," Sarafina asked, she and Nala only a moment behind Jahina, "if that monster has touched a single hair..."
"Stillborn," Sarabi said, her voice hoarser than normal, "the cub was stillborn."
"Stillborn," Nala asked, drawing back fractionally, in shock, "why?"
"I'll give you one guess," Jahina growled lowly, then muttered something that was incomprehensible to the rest of them.
"This can't go on," Sarafina said, "if even Churo's cub was stillborn, what kind of..."
"I know," Sarabi said, "what kind of chance do the rest of us have?" 'Apart from Jahina and Nala,' she thought, but dismissed it as almost impossible without either of them being either unconscious, or otherwise unable to retaliate to Scar's advances.
"What can we do," Nala asked, "the hyenas watch us all the time."
"Then we'll have to outsmart them," Jahina replied, "you're not scared of them are you?"
"Not as such," Nala replied, knowing she was partially lying, "but I know my limits, and I'd rather..."
"Hey, both of you," Sarafina said sharply, "cool off." Both Jahina and Nala looked at her, slightly guiltily, and fell silent. "Good," she said, when they were quiet "now, instead of arguing, try to think of a way of getting past the hyenas."
Sarabi, her mind only half on the conversation suddenly became aware of another sound, overlaid onto the background noise. "Hey, d'you hear that," she asked, turning to the others.
"Do I hear, wha..." Sarafina began to asked, then also became aware of the noise, "yes, I hear it."
"What is it," Nala asked.
"It is I," said a familiar voice, and moments later, Rafiki appeared around a rock.
"Rafiki," the four lionesses chorused, and even Churo managed to brighten up a bit in the presence of the shaman.
"Indeed," Rafiki said, "I hope I'm not intruding on anything."
"Not really," Sarabi replied, "we're just trying to figure out a way to get past the hyenas."
Rafiki nodded, then moved over to where Churo was sitting, a little way from the others, and murmured, "I'm sorry for your loss, there's nothing I could have done, even if I'd been there..."
"Been there," Sarafina asked, "you mean you weren't with Churo?" Her tone had a hint of anger in it.
"Scar banned me from the cave," Rafiki replied levelly.
"Did he now," Sarabi asked, "I find that highly suspicious."
Sarafina considered this for a moment, then asked, "are you 'sure' the cub was stillborn, then, there wasn't any other way..."
"It was stillborn," Rafiki replied, with conviction in his tone.
"Which makes the success of our mission now even more vital," Sarabi replied, then turned to Rafiki, "can you think of a way past the hyenas, shaman?"
"There are ways that are known to me," Rafiki replied, "I have not used them in a while, so I will have to check if they are still usable."
"We can but try them," Sarabi said, "Thank you Rafiki."
"My pleasure, your majesty," Rafiki said in reply, "and if you have nothing further, I will go."
"I do have one question," Sarafina said.
"Yes," Rafiki asked.
"How come you've still got enough to eat," Sarafina asked, "I mean, I'd have thought you were getting a little low on food now as well."
"Indeed, my baobab does not bloom as it once did," Rafiki replied, "but there is still enough there for myself, and for Zazu."
"Zazu's still alive," Sarabi asked, "how is he now?"
"He is depressed," Rafiki replied, a little sadly, "and he is not especially healthy, but he survives."
"Good for him," Sarafina said, "and I wish I knew how he puts up with Scar."
Rafiki rose to leave, but before he could go any where, Sarabi asked, "so, how long will it take you to check your 'ways'?"
"At least until tomorrow morning," Rafiki replied.
"Well we can decide further then," Sarabi said.
"Yes," Rafiki said, and left.
"So, er..." Nala began, once Rafiki had left.
"Yes Nala," Sarabi asked.
"Who's actually going," Nala asked.
"You," Sarabi replied.
"Me," Nala asked, "but, but you need me here."
"All the more reason for you to go," Sarabi replied, "and return with help quickly."
"But..." Nala began again.
"You scared," Jahina asked a note of derision in her tone.
"No," Nala replied, defensively, turning to face Jahina, "it's just..."
"If you're too scared to go," Jahina said, interrupting, "then I will."
There was a moment's shocked silence, then Churo approached Jahina and said, "Jahina, no."
"Yes, Mother," Jahina replied, "if I or Nala doesn't go now, we won't be able to later."
"Jahina, please," Churo said, "don't throw your life away on a foolish hope."
"It's not foolish mother," Jahina said, "it's necessary."
Churo was about to say more, but Sarafina cut her off, saying, "let her go Churo, holding her back will do no good, either to her, or you, or pretty soon, any of us." She then turned to Nala, and said, "and you're going too."
"Mother..." Nala began.
"You don't have to come," Jahina said, "you could always just stay back, with less and less to hunt, until you gradually starve to death."
At this, Nala gave Jahina a dirty look, which she smirked at, and said, "okay, I'll come."
"And now just to wait for word from Rafiki," Sarabi said, with a tone that suggested the conversation was over.
"Wait and hope," Sarafina agreed."
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