A/N:
Hey all. :] I've come with the next Trampled chapter. Whoopeee. xD However, do note that I am in San Diego as of last night (most of this was written on the bus trip) and will be here for ten days. Don't expect any updates for the rest of this month and expect only limited correspondence. I'll be busy and I have summer reading to work on anyways, lest I cram in it in the last few days of summer. Px
Oh, and there's some fluff in here. But no lemons. Just a deformed, growth-deficient lime-lemon, being generous maybe.
If that didn't make much sense (likely the case), then I'll just say that there are references to sexual behavior. Nothing graphic though. I mean, the rating's T, we can all handle it, T is what you got when you signed up so NO REFUNDS. xP
Reviews! (I'll keep this short. I'm not on my computer! xD)
pokeking95: I've never seen DBZ, honestly, but it's everywhere... or maybe it's old and it was *doesn't really know* lol And thank you. See, this is why I love you guys... you're all so nice. xD To be honest, though, I was wondering how Zira used the dart herself. I was going to give her a dart gun, but then there'd be no way for her to carry it. xP Glad you liked the chapter. :]
IronicSnap: PAHAHA. Well, yes, you are a time-traveler. We've discussed this via PM already (speaking of which, I just read your last one). Heheh. xD
Emerald dreamer96: Ahahaha, that'd be great for a parody or something. Too bad I suck at writing anything funny. xP And I suppose it is ironic, now that you mention it. :) And I always thought Zira was a strange one. I mean, they never explain who she really is. And who are those three cubs she hangs around with? Are they her children or not, people? -.- That said, filling in the gaps is pretty easy since it's so vague, and I thought that might make more sense of it for you guys. :]
Night-Waker: Do it, do it, do it! Like I said, I can't write anything funny, so it would probably be better if I not do that, y'know? xP And yeah, people have asked me if T&P were ever going to be in this story. I know at least one person PMed me about it. But if I put them in it'd just be a short cameo and this story is having less and less time for such diversions. xP That said, good luck with your writing endeavors - I wish you the best of luck with your co-authorship. :3
Also, I think Scar would have died (or at least been severely impaired for the remainder of the story) if he'd gotten his tongue ripped out, so I don't think that would have happened. xP
mom: Yeah, the 'love story' only gets better from here. I know their relationship is kind of dysfunctional, but that's what makes it so Scar/Zira. xD
My Dictator Level Is Over 9000: I suppose, considering your username, you would say that. :p lol
TheBreekachu: Aww, thank you. :) And of course I would have read your story! Thanks for uploading it and keep working on it! (I will graciously accept your cheesecake gift :p)
Aweosmeness4eva: *imagines Scar making a troll face XD* Wow. lol
Scar97: Hey there! Welcome back onboard, the Chapter 37 departure is leaving now! (Alright, I'm sorry. I was on the bus too long. xD) No worries, and enjoy. :D
Alright, let's go! :p
There was a tense moment in the cave, and neither was sure of how long it lasted. Only that the younger one was impetuous in his questioning.
"Zamani..."
She heard the words, but they may well have been a hundred miles away. Up and down the cave she looked, surveying it. Never again would she have expected to rule this wretched place.
"Zamani, come on, you gotta tell us what happened to Shenzi!"
"Later, Banzai," she snapped, though she was well aware of the crowd gathered and waiting to hear the news. They had accepted her acting as a temporary regent in the midst of a crisis, but now that that was over... they wanted to know where their Shenzi had gone, and why she had not returned to her home. Already many of her fellow packmates were lined up, convinced that they should lead a search party to find her.
Yet Zamani knew that that would be useless. If her niece was as smart as she knew she was, then neither hide nor hair of her would be seen—doubtlessly she was to wander in the Outlands, or somewhere farther away than here.
Their cries, however, would not stop.
"Silence—silence! You will listen!"
They did so, if only because they remembered and thus recognized her almost filial authority over them. A hundred yellow eyes focused on her intently, waiting for her to speak. It hadn't been long since her commands were commonplace.
"Shenzi's gone," she snapped, a pang of regret piquing at the loss of her niece… one which was quickly replaced with anger. "She left us, right when we needed her tha most."
Cries and murmurs of shock and skepticism trickled through the crowd. Yet it was true, in a way… it wasn't the whole truth, but in these situations the pack and its well-being came before any loyalties or even family bonds. They needed to know who was in charge, for she would inevitably bring them out of this disaster.
"Now you tell me, who'dja rather have to leadja? A deserter"—she paused dramatically, eying their confused faces—"or someone who's led ta pack before? You make your choice, now… and choose wisely."
Another pause accented the terse mood in the air… and it was one of those in which fate itself seemed to be hanging like a thick shadow in the torpid, humid atmosphere. This was a game-changing moment—if they rejected her or accused her of usurpation, a serious crime in the midst of the fraternal order of the hyenas, she could face death. But if they believed her, she would once again be on the seat of power, paws on the reins of the mighty chariot which could, given the chance, vanquish their enemies.
Already she coveted the scepter again.
Yet it hadn't been long since she'd held it, and the hyenas were more accustomed to her rule than that of Shenzi's. It seemed almost like a natural relapse, a mere break from the rule of their iron mistress. It didn't seem particularly strange to them—as much as Shenzi was beloved for her strength and devotion, and as much as it surprised them that she would just leave, Zamani was simply more experienced. Her control was what they needed now, more than ever…
"Ya got any questions, any of ya?" She paused, letting the words sink in and crease her face into a self-satisfied visage. "Good."
Only Banzai remained a skeptic, his taut face clearly displaying his doubts. But her latent ferocity was barely-veiled, its fire simmering like an ebullient liquid as she bore her teeth into a sick grimace. He hadn't seen her like that before—at least, not in many, many years, as the most pertinent memories he did have of Zamani as their leader came from a time when his world was wrapped eternally in fog and the naivety of youth.
He remembered a time when they'd lived in the Pridelands, however young he had been then, and he still retained the surreal, colorful inklings of mental pictures he'd taken during their exile… when they'd been forced to abandon their home and take up residence within the dry, dusty clime of the Outlands. Zamani had been younger then, about middle-aged, and more of a hot-headed firebrand. Yet she had no children of her own, and the closest individual she'd been with had been Shenzi…
"Zamani… ya know, I don't think that—"
"Not now, Banzai," she dismissed him shortly, turning away to face behind her somewhere; until, of course, he continued to speak without permission, using the worst words possible. A reference to a promise which had hung in the old matriarch's mind ever since her niece had run away.
He paused, clearing his throat. And then he prodded her again, succeeding in capturing her attention with his brashness.
"… I think I know Nira'd want'cha to look for her."
Zamani's reaction was immediate, swift and intense in its magnitude. She whirled around and fixed him with her old eyes, still brandishing fire in them despite her age. He gazed into her features and instantly quivered in fear of the coming wrath, regretting he'd said anything to provoke the madness in her spirit…
"Do not mention that name to me!"
She took several paw-steps forward, her look rabid and angry in spite of her self. Banzai shrunk back and attempted to apologize, but she was by no means finished with him.
"Why, ya wanna go out there ya'self? Make the same mistake Shenzi did? 'Cause I'll have ya know that I will—not—TOLERATE—that!"
The hyena whimpered slightly under his breath, and he knew instantly that, as much as he wanted to find Shenzi, find out the truth about why she left… he knew he couldn't. Not now. He would stay, even if he had to watch the madness in her eyes grow with each passing day. For right now it was burning bright, her entire visage wild and unkempt.
Her sister, Nira, however… she had always been a sweet old thing, meek and knowledgeable of her place—a stark contrast to her belligerent older sibling. There was a promise the younger one had made, an arrangement that benefited her daughter, Shenzi, and the entire pack along with it… for Zamani wielded more influence on the young pup than her own mother ever had, and aunt and niece were inseparable for as long as any could remember…
A shame that they were separated. But that was something he could not attempt to figure out for now.
Suddenly Asokai ran in timidly, his young figure glistening with sweat as he stood, unusually hunched and bowed as with the grave weight of an important message. Speaking loud enough for the others to hear, he irrationally blurted out the news.
"The lioness! She's here!"
The other hyenas tensed up in fear, their confused eyes showing bewilderment. Lioness? Here? In the den? A murmur passed through the crowd like a disease, their words showing derision towards the species which had stripped and raped them of everything they'd had. But Zamani looked relaxed, and the short, terse chuckle she gave signaled that they should do the same.
It was all a part of the plan.
"Heheheh… Bring 'er in."
"Sugarcane…"
The soft whisper poked delicately through the darkness like a perfume, its wavering timbre wafting across the wind with the sweet kiss of affection.
"Sugarcane…"
"Huh?" She jerked awake, brown eyes briefly betraying surprise. And then her expression softened. "Oh, hey."
Her neck extended automatically, face accepting the warm feline kiss he gave her on the cheek.
"It's late," she whispered, her face worried as she looked across the empty royal den to the vast moonlit savanna outside. The grass wavered softly in the breeze, illuminated by the beams of light that framed the celestial orb, which in its turn hung soft-edged in the inky darkness of the evening. "I thought you'd be out all night."
"No, not tonight, sweet." His bulky form lay down by her side, warm body comforting amongst the icy stone of the sparse, cold cave. The lion sidled up to her and adjusted himself, making sure he was comfortable. The freezing chill in his ruffled pelt, a remnant from the dry coldness outside, quickly melted away and revealed his fur's fluffy texture. "I didn't want to leave you alone again."
He licked her, wet tongue gracefully sliding past the contours of her nose and face, slicking the chocolate fur there.
"Hmm, hmm," she chuckled warmly. "I missed you, Ahadi. I've been waiting to talk to you."
The lion leaned down, his big and muscular form—normally quite intimidating, though now barely visible in its silhouetted form—a thick ball of warmth and comfort now that he was in the den with his beloved mate. He whispered in her ear, humid breath tickling the tawny fur lining the inside of the orifice there.
"Then you know I'm listening." He smiled, teeth glistening from the lunar light outside. "What is it, love?"
She grinned pleasantly in her turn, sharp brown eyes glistening with the slightest hint of suppressed joy and hidden excitement as she rested her head in the comfortable nook under his chin. The king's raven mane surrounded her, its familiar scent and feel appealing.
"I'll tell you at the end. It's kind of a surprise."
"Oh, a surprise, hmm? Will I like this… surprise?"
"Yeah," her lips twisted into a wide smile which belied her truly ecstatic emotion. "Just for us… Our little secret."
Each basked in the content, loving gaze of the other for several moments, just enjoying the silence and the mutual company they shared. The lioness queen dug her face into his soft mane, burying herself in him. Basking in his heat like the sunbathing huntress she was during the day. For he was like the sun to her, only with the spark of life in his eyes and the gentle sounds of a heartbeat lighting up his chest. She liked to listen, just remaining by his side and pressing her head against his ribs, letting the pulse of his heart lullaby her to sleep…
But not tonight. She still had to tell him the news.
"Ahadi…" she mumbled, voice muffled by the clumps of mane surrounding her face, "… tell me about your day."
"My day?" He smiled, though his voice let out a frustrated, wheezing chuckle. It was clear that the stress of the times was wearing on him, and he needed to vent and relieve the pressure burdening his shoulders with someone… as such, she often found herself pressed with the lathered rants he conjured up when angry. But she tried to bear them with all the support she had to offer.
"Well, darling, I'm afraid you can imagine how it went. Ulaghai and his dogs are at it again…"
"Oh," her mouth formed a round shape, interested in what he was saying, "and the hyenas, too?"
"Yes, of course the hyenas!" His green eyes were lit with a spark which matched the scowl on his face. "I can't get those two to stop squabbling for five minutes, it's ridiculous!"
"Have you tried to get them to settle their differences?" She offered helpfully.
"Yes, yes…" he sighed wearily.
"And you intervened?"
"About two weeks ago!" The frustrated expression returned. "Those damned hyenas… I swear I told them, 'I know the drought is rough. I'm doing the best I can with what I know,' and then they were all pointing fingers at each other, and oh, 'Ulaghai did this', and 'my spirits, can you believe what Zamani and her sister did?' and… my, it's chaos out there! I almost wish that spirits-damned lake didn't exist!"
The queen again adopted a concerned expression, laying her soft, furry paw on his shoulder. She didn't like hearing him talk like that. King Ahadi's heartbeat was sharp and frenetic, not like the soft and gentle one she knew… but he was stressed, and burdened with the troubles of the kingdom her father had left him to rule. She couldn't blame him for feeling the way he did, and this was ultimately the best she could do for him.
"Ahadi, the drought isn't your fault. We're probably just getting the rains late, that's all. Tell them to wait. The water will come, spirits willing…"
"I wish I could just tell them that. Just to wait. But damn, they're an impatient bunch…" his voice trailed off, now softer, calmer… but quickly the throes of agitation returned. "I mean, I spent all day trying to get all the sides of the story so I could settle their measly dispute! They claimed that I wasn't being fair, that the boundary lines I set weren't good enough. I mean, what can I do? I cut the damned thing in half!"
His mate pressed her lips tautly into a thin, patient line, but urged him with her eyes to continue.
"You know what they told me? What their argument was?" He laughed sorely, hints of a growl forming its tendrils in his throat. "Yeah, get this… apparently the hyenas have got an island—I saw the cursed thing, it's barely a lump of mud—on their side, so they claim they have less water. Even though there are less of them in the Pridelands anyways and their side is deeper… I told them I'd look into it, that they should just share the water the best they can regardless, but spirits damn me if there's any pleasing those two…"
"No…" she spoke up softly. "Spirits don't damnyou."
"Huh?" he asked, visibly confused.
"They'll figure it out—you'll see. It'll all be okay… and this drought will end soon enough."
She nestled her head gently into the bristling fur on his shoulder, Ahadi's hackles visibly drooping and his features becoming relaxed as she touched him. It was comforting, in a way… for them to have each other to talk to, to lean on when times were hard… and they certainly were now. His kingship was being put to the test, and the Pridelands and its subjects were being forced to endure whatever tests and duties would fall upon them for survival.
He was out later and later each night, often spending days without sleeping and coming back with thick, worn bags under his eyes. She hated seeing him like that, his handsome figure so pitiful and haggard… and it was more important now than ever before for them to stay closely bonded.
Both of them understood this.
"You always knew how to cheer me up, Uru."
"I know," she replied modestly, "I love you, Ahadi. I just wish I could cheer them up for you too…"
"… Hmppt, exactly. If only everyone could succumb to your charm like I did…" He nuzzled her tenderly, letting her know how much he treasured her presence. But she already understood. He'd made it clear so many times… yet she knew better than to take it for granted. After all, her father had said, to die by love was to live by it… "How about you? How are the boys doing?"
Her face grew into a pained expression, and instantly he regretted asking. The pleading look in her soft eyes was enough.
"Oh, I see. Is Taka still upset over… Sarabi and Mufasa?"
"Yes," she replied simply, obviously troubled about it. "I don't think he thinks it's fair."
"Life's not fair," the king responded curtly.
"Yes, well… I don't think he understands." She bowed her head, conflicted emotions playing across her face like a slideshow. "I mean, I never wanted it to come to this. I wanted to give my children the love and companionship my father gave to me with you, but I don't think I could ever be as wise as he was."
The lioness queen looked at Ahadi, wearied feelings still reflecting in her squinted irises and her taut countenance. "What if I made the wrong choice?"
"Nonsense. Think of how we were when we were betrothed. …You do remember when we first met, don't you?" His face broke out into a smile at the memories of long ago, the nostalgia of a time when life was simpler and easier. She couldn't help but do the same, despite the gravity of what she was feeling.
"Yes, of course. I shoved you into the waterhole and said you should stay away because you smelled like a warthog and needed a bath."
"I never did forget that…"
"But Ahadi," she interjected, back to her previous train of thought, "my father saw something in you. He must've known we'd like each other! And Sarabi… I think she would make a good queen, but…"
"But what? They already get along better than we ever did as adolescents."
She sighed in response. Alas, what he said was true—it was funny, in a way, when she looked back on it… but she'd hated Ahadi at first. Well, maybe she didn't hate Ahadi himself, as a lion… but she hated the idea he entailed. She didn't like not having a choice. But in time she understood just what the king Mohatu had seen in him, why he'd chosen the young lion as his heir and thusly the mate of his daughter, the princess Uru… herself.
He'd irritated her. Neither of them had a choice, and he knew he had to impress her and make up to her if he was ever going to rule. But she'd been bitter, and angry… In time, though, her loneliness and isolation as the only child of the king won over. She'd deigned to give him a chance, and from there they'd become reluctant friends. Over time, best friends. And then, without warning, something much closer and deeper than just friends…
The lion had wormed his way into her heart like a disease after that, complete with the itching and the infectiousness of… each other. But it wasn't all bad. In fact, in the end, it was one of the best things she could have asked for.
Yet when it came to her children, it was her turn to not be so easily convinced. The home was her domain—her kingdom—and the last thing she wanted was for it to crumble apart. She understood Ahadi's concern, but… it was she who would have to handle the problem. That was her role.
"Nonetheless, I don't think we should betroth Taka… I'm worried about his well-being. Mufasa invited him out to go on another trip together, brotherly bonding or something. He wants to make sure they're still close."
Ahadi visibly grimaced, green eyes flashing. Why would Mufasa do that so soon? Take Taka out with him when their last sojourn had been such a disaster?
"We can't just break tradition because he's unhappy with how it works. Besides, he seems to be getting close to that Sarafina girl…?" he trailed off hopefully.
"Honey, I want both my children to be happy, not just Mufasa. The tradition was for the crown prince to be betrothed so there was no question as to who the queen would be. But if we leave Taka open, he will know that even though he didn't get Sarabi, he will have his choice amongst any of the other lionesses… be it Sarafina or be it another."
"Well…" Ahadi looked hesitant, as though he would be breaking the rules if both his sons didn't have mates soon. But Uru was steady in her convictions. "Alright, but one question: how could he possibly know when he's found the right lioness? He doesn't have the experience; he'll make a mista—"
"He won't make a mistake." She replied surely. "Trust me, Ahadi. Mothers just know these things."
She licked him reassuringly, though the lion looked oddly distant. This understandably made her unhappy… for she thought she knew the reason why he acted that way. The relationship between the king and his youngest son had grown strained and distant, and it worried her whenever she thought back to it.
"I just wish Taka would take a mate like his brother and be happy. His behavior worries me sometimes… I wish he had more of me and Mufasa in him."
The lioness looked surprised. "Why would you say that, Ahadi? They're two different lions… wishing them to be alike is…"
"I know, I know how that sounds." He grimaced, looking down at his paws. His point of view disappointed his mate, and to disappoint her in that way ashamed him. "I love both of them, I really do… but…"
"But what?" She demanded.
"But I don't understand Taka…" he mumbled crossly, looking at his giant, golden paws. He hadn't spent much time with either of his sons lately—Mufasa seemed to understand his busyness, but Taka felt slighted by it and seemed to hold it personally. That bothered Ahadi… mostly because he felt unduly resented by his son, and also because he was afraid of losing him. "I mean, Mufasa makes sense to me. He's just like I was as a boy, just like my father wanted me to be… he knows his duties, he's a quick learner, he's strong and brave… When I hit him or tell him he's done wrong, he knows he's transgressed and he doesn't do it again."
"And Taka?"
"I don't know, Uru… I love him—I do!" He looked defensive at any perceived accusation against his fathering skills. "But he always thinks I'm mad at him, and he seems to want to rub it in my face. I mean, spirits, if my father caught me stealing food back near the River Turf, regardless of circumstances… why, I know he'd have my hide for it!" Ahadi closed his eyes, attempting to cover his disappointed, ashamed expression. A prince, stealing… he still couldn't believe it. Mufasa never would have done that, and yet Taka had the gall to, for some reason…
"I got a little angry. I told him he was in the wrong, I… Well, maybe I hit him a little too hard, but he looked like he'd melt right there in front of me. After I told him I didn't want him leaving for four weeks—a lenient punishment!—he just sulked all the way home…"
He growled again, an unusually dark sound which brought out an eerie green glint in his eyes. It shone through the darkness like a light, flames of anger burning behind the lenses. Uru was disturbed at how the expression seemed to be returning more and more often… and at the discussion of their own son, no less… but part of what he was saying was, in a way, true.
"I was in the right, Uru. He's just too damn sensitive… Mufasa wouldn't have—"
"But he's not Mufasa," she said finally. "If you took the time to really get to know him, you would see that."
"…I know," he acceded bitterly, features worried and wrought. "I just never have time anymore."
"He's only a boy, Ahadi… and this is a phase he's going through. Have faith in him—he'll grow out of it soon enough. Like I said, mothers know these things." A sagacious smile crept across her face, and at long last he sighed, a wearied and acquiescent sound. She was right, and she was an excellent mother regardless… in that way she was performing her duties well. It was he who was failing, letting the kingdom fall apart under him. If it wasn't for her, he would have been lost long ago, swept out to sea by his torrent of not just his regal duties and responsibilities… but those of the family as well.
"They both know I love them, don't they?"
Uru frowned inwardly, but didn't let him see her doubt. There was only a positive note—honeyed words which neither were really sure of anymore, and were soon to be put to the test. They just held their breath and believed in them.
"I'm sure they know very well," she whispered, her soothing tone calming him. "You do know I love you, don't you?"
"Too bad I love you more," he retorted with a smile, his paw caressing her and tracing a line down the slender curve of her stomach. He could feel her body begin to rumble in waves of purring which reverberated throughout her being, a pleasured sound which pricked him and urged him to continue…
"I love you most," she simpered and closed her eyes, the sound in her throat overpowering her for a brief moment as he licked her in between her ears, warm tongue slicking circles of fur until he found the edge of her ear and nipped it with his teeth. She let out a yelp, though it quickly melted into a laugh as he gave the final word.
"Well, I love you the mostest," he grinned stupidly, taking in her scent as he let his nose rest on her nape.
"The 'mostest', huh?" She drawled, smile fading into an expression which was neither serious nor playful, but somewhere in between. "Well then why don't you show it?" She whispered in his ear and drew back, knowing and used to the passion with which he'd accept her challenge.
Tenderly and carefully he wrapped his arm around her body, claws sheathed to expose soft paws as the two of them tussled slightly… his masculine form, however, was more than able to overpower her petite self. He found himself on top, pinning her to the ground… his heart beat wildly, and he knew that hers was doing the same. Alas, he was… excited… to be with her. It was an excitement he'd never felt while interacting with anyone else, one which he'd never experience with another. Already the back of his neck was prickling with sweat.
But as eager as they were to begin, he knew there was one more thing he wanted from her… lest he forget it in the heat and spur of the moment…
"Tell me something good, Uru," he whispered, before leaning down and nuzzling her neck. "Tell me the good news."
"Huh…?" She moaned softly, as though distracted from what he was saying. A pleasurable smile crept across her dazed face. "Oh, yeah. Our little surprise."
"Ahadi, I'm…" she paused, the moment taking her breath away. It was one more word, yet she hardly knew what to say. The words simply caught in her throat along with her breath as she looked upon his powerful figure.
"Gorgeous?" He whispered, his muzzle creeping closer to hers in anticipation.
"No. Ahadi. Pregnant."
Everything stopped. The king's eyes widened briefly, and for a moment, she feared she'd said something wrong. There was a deadly silence in the expanse of the otherwise empty cavern… and then he beamed with one of the biggest smiles she'd ever seen on his face. He fell upon her in a hug, arms wrapping around her and nearly crushing her in spite of himself.
"Oh… Ahadi… I… I thought that you were mad—"
"No, no!" He chortled a deep laugh, its warmth and the softness of his chest as he pressed her wrapped her in a gratifying aura. "How did you find out?"
"Around the time I got sick, Rafiki checked to see what was wrong and afterwards he said I was pregnant, too."
She looked down instinctually at her stomach, though at this point it was barely swollen with child and not obvious enough to be noticeable. Yet already she knew… she could feel the little lion growing inside her, a beautiful soul contained with her own inside her body. An individual, already unique and distinct, being nurtured in the womb. It was a mysterious process, and one which she'd always taken so much delight in.
"I don't know why, but something tells me it's a girl." She rubbed her stomach with a dark paw, the crook of a smile on her face as the father watched onwards in awe. "I already thought of naming her Vitamu. Is that alright?" She looked up at him, waiting to see the reaction on the ecstatic face inches from her own. Already all of their other problems were forgotten.
"Is that alright?" He echoed, pressing his muzzle gently into her neck, eyes closed in perfect happiness. He would be a father again… this time of a girl. A single, little girl. "It's perfect, Uru. But I want you to know…"
She looked up at him, attention rapt on him.
"I already love this Vitamu of ours. She'll be lovely. Now let me show you just how much I love her mother…"
The lioness smiled, and their passion began. The peak of a relationship and the joy of all the nights they spent together. It was idyllic in a way—if nothing else in the world, all she wanted was him and her children. Their little family. Apart from the kingdom, apart from the royal responsibilities and the fame and the glory…. Inside the den, King Ahadi was just Ahadi, and the princess was just a lioness.
His lioness.
She could imagine nothing more perfect in the whole wide world.
A shame, then, that it all ended. For their sweet little daughter—their little Vitamu—was never meant to be.
My son…
The black lioness prowled around the outskirts of the Outlands, the thin veil between abundance and destitution that every indigent around had witnessed. The ordure of the world had been dumped on them, fleeting fortune had turned her face elsewhere. They were luckless, and abandoned in the gutter. Left to die and rot.
Her son, too, had been left after his death to wallow in indignity. She risked everything to bring his body back. And for what? A burial. He'd died for nothing.
One down. Surely two to go, if she didn't act soon. She had to protect her family, her ragged little pride somehow. They were under her wing… but she couldn't do it alone.
Spirits help me…
Her thoughts continued on the path of vengeance, one she'd mapped out with her spare hatred. There was much of it contained within her heart, which had grown as putrid and black as her mussed coat.
Even if I have to tear the whole damn kingdom down, if I have to kill every beast within its bounds, I will do what I can…
Her mind reeled, her poison dark eyes narrowed in the night. Her tread was light, but her purpose made them heavy.
I will settle the score, my son.
Yeah, so... I thought it would be good to write a flashback with Ahadi and Uru because it would provide a general view of what was happening around that time (for the basis of later flashbacks), and also because they're two very underdeveloped characters in this fandom who don't get a whole lot of attention. People seem to hate Ahadi especially because they assume he was a bad father, and although his relationship with Taka is already strained at this point, I wanted to kind of give him a chance with you guys and show he's not all bad, even if he kind of has anger issues. xP That way there's context later.
So, Scar and Mufasa would have had a sister, but she's not around because... *dun, dun, DUNNN* she was never meant to be! Not going to say anymore, future speculations as to what happened to her or to the family in general would be appreciated as always. :]
Last part was added in last minute to keep it interesting. Should be pretty obvious who it is. Let me know if you liked it (and this chapter and what you thought of it).
Oh, and Zamani. Let's give Zamani some love, too. Who's the lioness she invited over?
Mil gracias, amigos. :)
~Twin