Entry 153: "The Will to Live"
Drops of water dripped from the drenched hairs of my mane, rippling in the deep black space I stood in. I was calm and stood tall, looking into the wet and unseen surface beneath me. I raised my head and found my shadow there.
Power…
The two of me leapt onto their hind legs and clasped against our opposing shoulders with our claws. I was shoving against him and I felt him do the same. But, he did not budge, and neither did I. We literally stood at a stalemate as our respective forces couldn't overcome one another. It was equal. No winner would prevail.
Your power…
We pushed off of each other and splashed our front feet in the dark shadowed sea. We stared at each other, my eyes mirroring his. As was our strength, our thoughts were the same. Our current feelings, our outlook, our mindset… they differed not. We both desired the same thing, the same outcome of our venture.
Lend me your power…
I turned around and began to march back toward the light. My shadow quickly caught up to me and we walked together, side by side. We both stepped into the brimming white space and stared upward toward whatever its unseen source would be. The dark me came as close as he could to me until I felt his body against mine. His body ached with anxiety, anticipation. He was ready to fight. We were ready. I was ready.
Awaken… my darkness…
I awoke and gave a great yawn before I rose to my feet. I looked around to find that both Busara and Sarafina were already gone and proceeded outside. I quietly scowled to myself for them not waking me up. Today was the day, the day which will determine everything.
"Did you hear last night?"
I heard that voice coming from just further behind Destiny Rock, so I followed it to its source. As I stood quietly by the wall, I peeked to see five lionesses gathered together in a half-circle facing away from me. "To think a cure to that horrible virus has finally been discovered…" the first lioness said.
"If that lion didn't come here, we probably would've never found it," the second one beside her said. "Maybe this plan can actually work."
"But, what if it's just dumb luck?" the lioness across from them added skeptically. "It's not guaranteed that everything will work out so easily."
"I hardly call a miracle like the one last night dumb luck," the middle lioness replied in disagreement.
"But, how sad would it be to be all worked up and it can come crashing down around us, just like before?" the fifth lioness purred. "So much has happened. We lost good friends. I don't know if I can do this again."
"I will protect you all," I suddenly called out.
Without a second thought, I emerged from hiding and came into their view. "It's him!" the fourth lioness exclaimed.
"What did you say?" the third one asked.
"I know you're all worried and scared; so am I. But, I want to protect you all and make sure you all come back alive. I don't want to lose any of you."
"H, how can you say that?" the fifth lioness wondered. "You're not of our pride. You don't even know half of us."
"A wise old lion told me… that we are one," I replied. "We're all lions in the Circle of Life. We all are caught in a struggle that will decide each of our futures… no, not the struggle; we will decide our futures. I wasn't the one who saved Sarafina's life last night; it was Busara and his will to confront his issue with his father that he harbored for so long and he was blessed with a positive result. I honestly believe that we can get through this if we pull together and protect each other from harm like a true pride of lions."
"We are one…" the lionesses collectively repeated.
While a few took a moment to think it over, the others were quick to answer. "Well, my mind is made up," the second lioness declared. "I'm gonna fight with all my trust into this plan!"
"So will I!" the fourth lioness agreed. "If there's a chance, why in the hell would we not take it?"
"Well… I guess I'll go along with it, as long as we stay together," the third lioness nodded.
"Of course! We're best friends, after all."
Soon, the other two lionesses stood up and came to me with wishful pupils. "You say some very good things," the fifth lioness said. "And I like to believe those words." She came closer until she nuzzled into my thick mane. She was a very fragile thing, I thought. I hugged around her to give her comfort. "You're right," the first lioness purred. "We are one, and it's high time we acted as such. So, while I have your support, just know that you have mine. I want to protect my friends here and everyone else, too." I nodded affirmatively to acknowledge her resolve. The other lionesses joined them and crowded around me, their spirits heightened with anticipation. "I don't think we caught your name," one of them asked.
"It's Mufasa," I answered.
"Mufasa…"
As the day went on, Sarabi, the lionesses that accompanied her, and the entire pride of Destiny Rock went on a tough training regimen with the king supervising. They were running in circular laps to maintain speed and to build up their leg muscles. Many took turns in sprinting toward large boulders and leaping from them. Beneath them, Jumba was tossing tree limbs in the air and the lionesses would bite at them and snap them in two in midair after their jump. In that exercise, they were developing their jumping height and their attack maneuverability in midair. The rest were sparring with each other, either one-on-one or one against many. Few match-ups were unique, as one lioness would effectively imitate the movements of a hyena while the other memorized them and attacked successfully. Strength, endurance, and wisdom were key elements learned and exploited in those exercises. The way they were developing led me to believe that they would be just fine in the heat of battle.
Zari's friends, the others and I collaborated together by the base of Destiny Rock, discussing the crucial part of the plan. "So, the younger lionesses and the wounded are to stay stationary here," Busara explained. "But, in case some hyenas manage to sneak by us and try to head to this place, I'll stay put here along a few others to guard them."
"You're staying behind?" Rajua asked.
"I have to be here to treat Sarafina and the others."
"I'm sorry I won't be able to help you guys," Sarafina sighed. "After I came so far from home…"
"It can't be helped; you still haven't fully recovered yet," I replied.
"Right," Busara nodded. "Minshasa and Rajua will stay put here with me. Congo, you and Jumba will accompany the lionesses. With your respective strength and size, you'll be a great help."
"Oh yeah! You can leave it to me!" Congo exclaimed.
"What do we do?" Ray asked on top of Maggie's head.
"You guys are with me and Zazu," I said. "We'll be the ones to lure the hyenas into the trap."
"Are you serious?!" Maggie cried. "Mufasa, you're horrible to make someone as beautiful as me into bait!"
"You guys can run faster than I can; plus the fact that you're edible will entice them to chase after you further."
"Hmph. That's some compliment, buddy," Ray scoffed.
"If you don't want to die, then don't get caught. I'll show the way you need to go, and I'll be there to meet with you. After the bees attack and the hyenas are forced to leap into the water, Zazu will immediately head to the pride to alert them."
"I basically let them all know they're coming," Zazu summarized. "A simple task."
"It doesn't end there," Busara added. "After they've engaged in combat, you are to keep watch from above for anyone who manages to sneak by them. Then, you quickly return here and report to us, so the rest of us here will get ready."
"Understood."
"You're going to join the fight later, Mufasa?" Minshasa asked.
"Yeah, along with Ray and Maggie," I answered. "The battle will end once every single hyena is slain."
"We really have to go that far?"
"Try to understand, Minshasa. What this is… is war. At best, any hyenas left will lose their nerves and run away."
"Wow," Sarafina said to me with wide eyes. "You just sounded just like your father."
"Ahem," I scowled. "Anyway, everyone knows their roles, right? We'll split up as soon as the pride leaves at sundown."
"Better take care of any unfinished business before we set out… just in case," Congo said.
"Right," a few of us collectively replied.
Many hours later, Ray, Maggie, and I were together by a wide and hard tree trunk. Zazu had returned from scouting to us in no time at all, informing us that the hyenas would head through this way. In their pacing, they would appear in sight within the hour. The pride was already in position; it's time we got ready. This plan depended on our success.
I rose to my feet and stretched my body tightly to loosen up the tension building up in me. "Well, I guess it's time to get the show on the road," Ray said. "And it's sure to be one hell of one."
"Make sure you have their full attention," Zazu nagged. "The plan will be no good if you don't lead all of them to the gorge."
"Yeah, yeah. Just relax. Maggie and I already rehearsed our ploy to perfection. It'll be our greatest performance yet! Right, baby?"
"You know it, hon!" Maggie replied with a mischievous grin.
"I'm confident that you both will be just fine," I nodded. "Let's head to our rendezvous point, Zazu."
"Yes, right away, Lord Mufasa!" Zazu answered.
On that note, Zazu soared off towards the direction of the gorge with me following suit with a great sprint. As I left, I briefly thought to myself. Ray… Maggie… come back to me safely.
Shortly, Zazu and I had made it to our position. We were just outside the entrance into the middle of the gorge where our plan will take place. From on top of a stone boulder, I stared down at the cool river below me as it flowed into the gorge. At the end of that river shortly after the waterfall, the pride lied in wait. It would be several more minutes before the hyenas were due to arrive, but each passing minute felt like long, excruciating hours. It was natural that I would be a little apprehensive. After all, this would be the one true test of my will and my beliefs. This would prove whether or not they were right.
Zazu fluttered down to my side after he had searched from above for any incoming activity. "Nothing yet, my lord," he said. "But, they will emerge soon."
"Yeah," I replied coolly. "By the way, Zazu, what was it you wanted to say to me before?"
"Excuse me?"
"You know, when we were talking about Taka being the future king last night."
"Oh, that," Zazu recalled with an anxious look out the corner of his eyes. "It's… not my place to say such a thing."
"Come on, tell me."
"Well… I can't help but think about… what it would be like if… you were our future king."
"If I was king?" I repeated, caught off-guard by this comment.
"When I compare you and your brother, I feel that you're the most qualified. I mean no offense to your brother, but you seem to be the best, logical choice."
"I respect your opinion, Zazu," I replied. "But, it's what our father has decided. You'll see; Taka will blossom the moment he becomes king, I'm sure of it."
What a weird suggestion, I thought. At first, I wasn't sure how to respond to that. How could I take back what I lost to Taka, someone I knew was capable for the job? I wouldn't be king, at least not to Father's pride, and I honored that reality. I was lucky that Zazu was the only one who thought of such a thing. I wouldn't what I would do if others thought the same. Besides… how was I more qualified than my brother?
Zazu crossed his arms with an indifferent stare. "But, what about Sarabi? She is Taka's betrothed; therefore, she would have to marry him. It's the law." I was briefly stunned. He was right, I thought. It had always been that way, for as long as I remember in our history. My betrothed was Sarafina, after all. But, because of all that's happened, our arranged marriage had long dispersed by law and the both of us now had different love interests. My feelings toward Sarabi were limitless; I wanted no other woman by my side. And I believe she feels the same way. She's done so much for me for any reason other than that. But, if we would end up together, we would be breaking the law back home. And I knew my brother was bitter knowing I had a crush on her.
But, I merely fell in love. It's a natural part of life that no one should be ashamed of. It's sad when a law could prevent what could a wonderful union between two people. And I wasn't about to lose being with that girl because of that. So, I finally answered, "We'll see what happens. I already broke my father's word by coming here. And if it does come to that, I'll fight just as I am now." Zazu was visibly surprised by my response. Then, he smiled and bowed to me with grace. "Right. I'm sorry for asking too much."
"It's not a problem," I nodded. "You know we're friends, right?"
"My very best friend, Lord Mufasa," Zazu replied.
"Yeah. But, I've been meaning to ask you. Why do you always put 'Lord' in front of my name?"
Zazu broadly expanded his wings. "You know how I always love to fly, correct?"
"Yes."
"Birds fly because it's how we get around; that's how we're created in this world. But, when I fly, I have a greater purpose."
He looked at me with a strong gleam of admiration. "It's to keep up with a sort of God I respect so much. I was picked on a lot because I couldn't fly as well as the other hatchlings. That's how we first met, remember? You chased me around to scare me into flying."
I blushed, "Oh, but I think I was being a bully myself. Making you fly better was a complete accident."
"But, you were impressed by my flying and later encouraged me to show the others that I could fly after I told you my dilemma. By just being you, it was like God came to me to grant me good fortune. From that day on and while things at home got better, I always flew after you like someone forever worshipping a God and Lord they love and respect to someday respond to that kindness you gave me. Mufasa, you are my 'Lord.' It's nothing like trying to suck up to you; this is how strongly I feel of our friendship."
To put simply, I was touched. I never realized the two of us would create such a bond like this. I would never forget this. This was far too special and precious to me. I moved a little closer to Zazu to give him a soft head-nuzzle against his tiny body. I purred, "Oh, Zazu, that's kinda sappy to say, but… thank you." Zazu wrapped his wings around my head in reply. "I'll try harder not to be… Mufasa." Our friendship was strong and invulnerable; nothing could ever destroy or replace this bond. It will always last… forevermore.
A shriek echoed, pulling the two of us from our tender moment. I quickly rose up and looked toward the direction it had originated. Zazu climbed the air without haste and immediately saw something. "Mufasa! Here they come!" Soon enough, Maggie and Ray came into sight in a mad dash followed by what looked to be a huge, dark cloud. The size was even larger than I had imagined. There were so many hyenas together in this one swarm. Looking at it, I knew for sure that I was making the right choice. One pride alone could never hope to decimate a pack that large; it was truly suicide!
While being chased, Maggie and Ray seemed to be actually enjoying themselves, going by the wily, exuberated looks on their faces. But, the time to act was now, as they should be in hearing distance by now. So, I stood tall and bold and let loose a giant roar. With these hills and walls this snow made, it carried my call to greater lengths, soon catching the attention of the lead hyena that led the entire pack. Once she had stopped, the entire pack gradually came to a halt. I felt their eyes burning away at my body as they directed their sight to me. But, I wouldn't waver. I was going to carry this mission through in succession! I would make sure that we would cease victory, I swore it!
As soon as Maggie and Ray got away safely, I stepped forward and called out to the stationary pack of hyenas. "Don't waste your time with those small fish! The pride is over here… ready to give our lives to stop you!" I had to let them keep thinking that we were intending to throw ourselves to them; saying otherwise would arouse suspicion. Soon enough, the alpha female stepped forward and responded. "You really think your puny pride can stop us? With so little number and this harsh environment, you don't stand a chance!"
"You may be right," I answered. "But, our pact with Death is already forged! We will be bringing you lot down to Hell along with us!"
"Heh. No. You all will be going to Hell alone. Attack!!"
With that, the hyenas all changed direction towards me. That was it, I thought. Zazu soared down and past me, and I immediately spun around and ran after him.
Zazu and I ascended the side of the gorge, the both of us constantly looking back. Rumbling sounds like from an earthquake grew louder and drew ever closer. As we continued, the hyenas soon came into vision. Zazu briefly flew over the middle of the gorge and quickly came back to alert me. "The hive is here, Mufasa!"
"Got it!"
I continued running, but I drew closer to the edge of the gorge. I slightly slowed my pace and used my claws to rake stones off the edge. I made small landslides along the walls and stones of all sides rained down to the ground below. And I didn't stop until an enormous and spotty black cloud emerged from the gorge! I continued on while running at full speed as I looked back and witnessed this frightening, ghastly swarm of angry bees enveloping the sky above me. The hyenas had soon made it to that position and, as we planned, were too late to get away. The swarm descended down onto the pack, directing their unbridled rage born from their rude awakening. Violent buzzing overlapped their shrill cries of the hyenas. Their 100 members were easily overwhelmed by the near 1000 of these small stingers. The hyenas were trapped in a whirlwind where there was little to no escape.
As soon as we came near the end of the gorge where the waterfall was, Zazu flew downward into it as I carefully climbed and leapt down the walls to the floor below. However, what awaited me was not the stone floor… but the rushing water. I dove into the water and allowed myself to sink deeper into it. Submerged in this unfocused element, I was swept away in time. I went back… to that fateful day…
When I opened my eyes, I met those hot, ruby eyes again. Deep in this clear, aquatic space, I floated along with that ghostly white lioness. Her somber, serene voice called to me from all directions. "There will be a time where you cannot avoid pain and hate. While you continue growing up, it will never go away. But, you still want to escape." She drew closer to me and hugged around me. She was transparent, but I could almost feel her touch. I could almost say that she was really here. "Do not worry. Soon, you will die. That is your future, the future you wish to follow. Death." It was just like before when I was a cub; I was charmed by this beautiful soul. And as an adult, I now understood this admiration… this attraction to her. I momentarily lost voluntary movement, and my arms slowly rose up to embrace her back. But, I regained control and instead placed them onto her shoulders, gently pushing her back. "Death is my future," I purred. "…A future I can prolong for as long as I am able."
…I gasped out for air as soon as I rose up from the water. I fought against the current and used my paws to frantically kick myself to the pathway on the other side. Zazu met me there as I pulled myself on the path and we both quickly went inside the cave where we found Barafu residing in. I briefly stopped to catch my breath and shake the cool water from my drenched fur, much to Zazu's chagrin as he used his wing to guard himself. Then, we peeked out and watched as several hyenas were still under the bees' onslaught. Eventually, many of them fell out and died from excessive stings. Others lost their bearings and fell into the gorge and into the river below. When they dropped in there, the bees immediately retreated. The alpha leader managed to observe this and called out to the survivors. "Everyone! Into the water! Quickly! Into the water!" All those able obeyed and fell into the river, one by one, and the bees flew off and went their own business. However, despite the many that managed to survive the bees, the majority of them was severely weakened and couldn't do anything other than ride the current down the waterfall that awaited them. "It worked perfectly, Mufasa," Zazu whispered.
"It sure did," I nodded. "Alright, Zazu, you know what to do."
"Yes! See you soon!"
Zazu then set out beyond the waterfall to report the plan's success to the pride waiting below. It looked like the entire hyena pack was decimated and weakened, and the rage of the swarm of bees soon subsided. So, I came out of the cave and began to descend down the path down to the forest below.
I made it safely to the bottom of the path and sprinted onward, following the river infested with floating hyena bodies to the end. I heard faint, collective roars in the short distance before me. Followed by King Ghana's distinctive call, I heard them soon after. It sounded like the battle had already gone underway. Sure enough, I made it to a clear field beyond the trees at my side. There, as few hyenas struggled their way onto the shore, the pride was there in midst of a heated battle against the ones who survived the trap. After one lioness was finished slaying a hyena, they immediately go on the offensive against another. Disoriented and weakened, most of the hyenas fell victim to the jaws of my fellow lionesses very easily. The water was shallow, so I quickly crossed over to the other side and anxiously joined the battle.
I came after two hyenas at once, swiping one into the air shortly after tackling another. Blood streaking by me as I soared, I leapt over another hyena, snapping his neck after one tough bite of my jaw. I found Congo wildly swinging about as he threw away nearly all the hyenas that tried to assault him all at once. While he literally crushed his foes underneath his gigantic fists, he truly appeared hyperactive in the heat of battle. He was enjoying himself to the fullest. That fueled me into giving a little bit more of my strength in reply to his passionate display. In one mighty swing of my paw, I sent one hyena flying fast into a nearby tree trunk, breaking his back instantly. Some hyenas made it a priority to incapacitate Jumba first, but the massive elephant made it difficult for them by swiping them away with one great swing of his trunk. However, some of the lionesses aided him by guarding him or staying on top of him to swat away any hyena that managed to climb onto him. Whooping and hollering managed to overwhelm the sounds of battle. I looked to see that Ray and Maggie had just made it to join the fight. Maggie bore through a crowd of hyenas with her bone-hard tusks in the lead, sending many high in the air. With Ray as her all-around eyewitness, the surprisingly ferocious warthog had no blind spots; she rammed into her frontal attackers while delivering a hard back kick to all who try to ambush her. She was quick to turn toward any direction and was quite nimble in avoiding the multiple lunges directed at her. And all the while, the duo cheered for their performance, mocking the hyenas with a flash of their respective posteriors whenever the chance presented itself.
Meanwhile, Sarabi was on the run with a few hyenas tailing her in hot pursuit. Seeing them run in a straight line, Sarabi spun around and stopped the lead hyena's charge by jabbing her paw in his forehead. Then, the hyenas behind him simply crashed into him and each other, knocking themselves out. Then, yet another hyena came out of nowhere and mounted over her back, threatening to bite into her neck. But, before then, she miraculously leapt backward and crushed the hyena underneath her back as she landed. She somersaulted backward once more to get back on her feet and quickly went into a defensive stance after she found herself surrounded by six more dogs. I quickly ran toward them, leapt over the circle of hyenas, and stood by her side. We shared one glance at each other, and that was all we needed. We both knew that we would protect each other. I first darted at one hyena and struck him hard over his head to pound his face into the ground. I looked over my shoulder to see Sarabi leap forward to catch another's neck in her mouth and bit down hard on him. I quickly spun around once I noticed the third hyena leaping at Sarabi from her blind spot and leapt over Sarabi herself to tackle him in midair, rolling onto the ground with him and thrusting him into the air with a thrust of my hind legs. Another came at me, but Sarabi quickly came to my defensive and clawed him away. Finally, Sarabi and I ran together with a great battle roar and struck down the last two hyenas respectively with one slash each.
The battle waged on for quite some time. One by one, one group after another, the hyenas attacked and fell soon after. They had been wounds inflicted on our side, but with our force built with harmony and determination, we kept each other alive as we fought on. Sarabi and I gathered with the rest of our comrades and faced the last pack of hyenas, trapping them between us and the river. With their numbers greatly diminished, it was their turn to face suicide. We all growled after them, threatening them and acknowledging their only future if they should attack us then. However, they stubbornly stood firm and gave one last collective howl as they charged at us. Foolish bastards, I thought. They were wild and in disarray. Seeing them like that was ironic, actually. If we went with that suicide attack, we would look just like them. If anything, I wished we could've avoided this. But, I had already formed my resolve. If they insisted… the hyenas must die. Following King Ghana's great roar, we joined him as we all descended onto them like unforgiving rain. Their foolish actions had already decided this battle. Before the final assault, this battle was over…
…The pride stood in scattered positions, either alone or in groups. We stood amongst the battleground covered with hundreds of lifeless corpses. Streams of blood found their way into the tainted river. We all heard the sounds of the cool wind and the rushing water again. The battle over, everything was calm again. I looked back and forth to find my fellow lions and my friends were all doing well. Maggie sat down to finally rest her legs while Ray stroked through her mane with praise. Congo was lying on the ground in exhausted relief while Jumba peered down at him in exasperation. The lionesses collectively came together with lick each others' wounds and help the ones who were unable to walk get around. Ghana suddenly roared with his head held high in the skies. Filled with victory and restored pride, the rest of us immediately joined him. Sarabi had come to my side and we rejoiced together. We did it, I thought. We conquered an otherwise hopeless situation and achieved a much greater, more satisfying end. We fought… and we survived… because of our strong will to live…
We shortly made our return to Destiny Rock. As we trekked, we found several more hyena bodies lying around, the few that managed to slip by us. Zazu carried out his role well, I thought. Near the base of Destiny Rock, we found Busara busy treating the young lionesses that were injured on his side while Sarafina and Rajua helped him distribute his medicine. An impatient Minshasa soon spotted us heading toward them and leapt to hug me tight. I hugged her back and quietly reassured her that I was alright. Then, we continued on to rejoin the rest of the pride to tend to the wounded and reflect on the turning point against the hyena plague.
Zazu soon soared down to join this joyous gathering before Destiny Rock. With their "custom-made" instruments, Congo and the others delivered their usual soul and enjoyment in their fun and upbeat music; only Ray the Meerkat was the only one not playing his instrument, for some reason. Most of us were patting our paws together with the beat. After a few seconds, Maggie the Warthog emerged from under the promontory's shadows, marching in a very provocative step that also synced with the music. Then, following the music cue with Jumba leading with his wild, powerful trumpet, Maggie sang.
♪♪ I've heard my share of sweet talk, ♪♪
And I heard no truth in those small words
I've seen couples walk side by side,
But, I prefer to be free as a bird
Like Zari, Maggie was also a singer in my friends' collective band of sorts. She was renowned for her powerful and beautiful voice. And there was also her sly, mischievous use of sex appeal in her dances. She coyly shook her head in response to her second lyric. Next, she mocked walking giddily with someone while bouncing to the beat herself. Lastly, she sat down and put one hoof to her chest while singing toward the night sky as if she was resisting that imaginary person from before.
All of you would gladly praise my beauty
I'm quite aware of what I have here
But, truth is, try as you might to win me;
You can't have me, so save those tears
With the shining moon outlining her body, Maggie slowly sauntered before us in the circular crowd, giving us a rather voluptuous look in her eyes. We all cheered and whistled at her in all good fun. As soon as she came in front of the band, she bent her upper body down and teasingly waved her rump in the air, earning their respective catcalls. She crawled out from that position and spun around, sitting down again and rubbing down the back of her neck with one hoof. And in singing that last line, she mocked wiping a single tear from her eye with one claw.
It's not in me to embrace anyone; I've already went down that path before
Find someone else to share a kiss with; you wonder why I'm acting like this for?
Maggie then approached me like she said she would before the start of this song. She gently pulled her hoof along the curve of my neck and got close enough that our lips would embrace. Modestly playing the part of a hormone-driven male, I shut my eyes with a wide grin and slowly drew closer before she pulled away and let my head drop down before I caught myself. The crowd called "Ooh!" in reply while Sarabi giggled teasingly. Maggie walked off, her hind legs bouncing to the rhythm once again. She threw her head to the sky and looked over her shoulder to me to give a quick wink of her eye.
Complicated Rosy Love, Unattainable Rosy Love
Think of me as your sister, you naughty, naughty boy!
Complicated Rosy Love, Unattainable Rosy Love
If you want me, that's too bad; I'm no man's toy…
Maggie had made it to the chorus of her song and heightened the power of her voice accordingly. Jumba joined in with a counter-melody that complimented her. The two had definitely practiced long and hard to achieve the passionate sound of this heated duet. Along with the crowd, Sarabi and I clapped with the beat and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Even Busara who was with Sarafina was patting his paw on the ground. Meanwhile, Maggie bent down her upper body and curled up her body, so her position was upper body up and lower body down. She flexed her shoulders coyly and smiled back to her spectators, drawing more cheers.
I know you see me running in your mind;
I'm the object of your poetry
You want to take me home to your bed
That dame must really look like me
Maggie now made her way to the stationary Ray and circled around him. Ray smugly followed her movements and stood up on his feet. As she made a full circle around him, her tail playfully coiled all around his body. The meerkat shivered in ecstasy and gave a rather lecherous grin toward the warthog.
I'll toss aside your worthless valentines; the past has already passed away;
If you plan to fall in love with me, I suggest staying out of my way…
In what appeared to be part of the act, Ray entered the circle and assumed the role of a lovesick stalker Maggie referred to in her lyrics. He smoothly slithered under her legs and stood before her to make her stop, giving her a cocky, flirtatious smirk across his face. Maggie returned that smile, knelt down until their noses met and gently wrapped one hoof around his neck. Then, she quickly rose up and pulled him down onto the ground, arousing laughter throughout the crowd.
Complicated Rosy Love, Unattainable Rosy Love
Think of me as your sister, you naughty, naughty boy!
Complicated Rosy Love, Unattainable Rosy Love
If you want me, that's too bad; I'm no man's toy…
Jumba, Congo, and Rajua were left to let loose in their grand musical solo while Ray and Maggie danced together in harmonic choreography. They shifted their legs back and forth and slowly spun around and back in fluid motion. Ray leapt onto Maggie's snout and proceeded to display a quick, exuberant "break-down" as they call it. That is, he performed complicated but eye-catching movements of his arms and feet and well-placed spins and flips using Maggie as his "platform."
Complicated Rosy Love, Unattainable Rosy Love
Think of me as your sister, you naughty, naughty boy!
Complicated Rosy Love, Unattainable Rosy Love
♪♪ If you want me, that's too bad; I'm no man's toy… ♪♪
Maggie sung her chorus one last time and allowed the music to carry on until the end. She sauntered back to the shadows under the promontory while Ray lied comfortably over her snout and waved to us. But, Maggie bucked him off and sent him flying backward behind her, comically landing hard on the ground. She winked back to him and whispered, "Naughty boy." Finally, after she disappeared under the shadow, the music ended.
We all cheered and applauded for that wonderfully whimsical performance. Maggie quickly ran back out to join Ray as he got back up. The two bowed down with Congo and the others following suit. While we continued, I noticed Sarabi rising to her feet and smoothly let her breath escape her lips. "Sarabi?" I called in wonder.
"I guess it's my turn; I'm a little nervous," she said. "But, I think you'll like this surprise, Mufasa."
Then, she came around the outside of the circle to meet the band. A surprise, I thought. What exactly did that girl have in mind?
After the cheering settled down, Ray quickly rejoined Congo and the others while Maggie came to lie down beside me to rest. "You were great out there, Maggie," I smiled.
"Thank you, Muffy," she answered through her exhaustion. "It didn't sound too slutty, did it?"
"Well, I say it describes you quite well."
"Heh. But, just watch; they'll forget about me once they hear her sing. If it's anything like rehearsal…"
"Sarabi's gonna sing?"
"Looks like it's starting."
The crowd resumed their cheering while Sarabi slowly walked out to the middle of the circle. She reformed her resolve and exhaled once more. "My mother taught me this very precious song," she began. "And not too long ago, another person asked me to sing it to him one day." I immediately remembered that moment.
…I took one step closer to her and whispered, "I would like to hear your whole song someday." Finally, I shut my eyes and calmly licked over her cheek. Without much hesitation, I kissed her...
That phrase was a signal that triggered a soft, somber melody from the band. Ray's tender strings and Rajua's ringing bells took the lead while Sarabi briefly stared after me. "And now," she continued, "as my gift of appreciation, for helping us believe in life again, I will share this song with you." I lied still and attentively. I took one huge gulp and watched as she started to sing.
♪♪ Born from a dreamland, envisioned from hallucination, ♪♪
A lovely reflection of one's imagination
Unattainable, a ghost prancing through the desert,
Only answering to the pure of heart…
Brought into reality, there with true love adorning,
'Sarabi' becomes a living being
Sarabi's voice swelled along with the music after Congo and Jumba joined in. I was taken in by this poetic and mystical song. That lioness beamed with the moon rays shining around her, exercising the depth of the already illusionary beauty. She appeared full of heart and sincerity while also arousing my curiosity of the mystery surrounding her. Again, I couldn't believe such a being existed, standing there before me. I was dreaming yet I lied awake. She was an apparition, but I could see her clear as day. It was the one I really loved. It was Sarabi.
Elusive like the wind, it exists while it is unseen
Lust's vain nightmare, chastity's humble dream
Transparent air, a solitary apparition,
Only waiting for his honest affections…
Sarabi turned her focus onto me once more and slowly approached me while still singing her beautiful song. She made a gesture of her paw, summoning me to her. I was caught off-guard by her request and was hesitant to come out with her. But, one quick shove from behind by Maggie sent me out there in an instant. I regained my posture and stood stiffly while Sarabi kept her admiring eyes locked onto me. Of course, I felt a little awkward and tense since I was conscious of everyone watching us. But, I soon aligned my vision with hers as she drew closer and closer. Finally, just after she finished that last lyric, she gave me a warm lick over my cheek, thoroughly surprising me! She had returned that kiss I gave her those years ago!
Come into reality; see the truth in clear focus,
♪♪ 'Sarabi' may now live with bliss ♪♪
I was briefly frozen by her sudden return of affection, but I quickly melted from the touch of her warm body. She nuzzled and coiled around me until she came around to my opposite side and nestled her head in my mane. Her voice rang melodiously in my ears along with the music's descent to silence. As soon as it completely died down, I heard her whisper. "I love you, too." It took a moment for that to register in my mind. Finally, I formed a proud, accepting smile and lied my head on top of hers. Finally, the pride roared to the skies above to ask the Kings above of their blessing of our newfound union. Conquering the trials we both faced, overcoming our fights against each other, and saving each other from accepting death, Sarabi and I became true lovers…