CandyLuv99; I won't say anything even though I regret how things turn out and I cried while writing. Thanks for the review.
I apologize for any tears in advance.
~A life may last just for a moment, but memory can make that moment last forever.~
Queen Mother Sarabi had awoken a bit earlier than usual. She was quite restless last night, but the former queen couldn't pin the reason.
Simba was asleep across the cave, on the royal platform. Simba didn't get in until sunset, busy with the apporching dry season arrangements with the herds and speaking with Rafiki.
Sarabi figured it was best to let him sleep. Sarabi stood and gave her son a nuzzle before she stretched out the kinks before moving her orange eyes around. She found her great-nephew and great-niece, Desta and Dahlia sleeping soundly by Nadra. Sarabi is glad that they're here to be around family.
She walked over and gave her family nuzzles before heading out of the cave.
While Sarabi was out talking to a few animals, following the schedule. She knew that Mufasa and Simba went on rounds after checking on the subjects.
When Zazu perched on her shoulder blade, she was actually relieved. It wasn't that she didn't know what to do, just that she haven't been in touch with her royal-side in some time.
"Good morning, Sarabi. Haven't seen the king, have I missed him?"
Sarabi shook her head. "No, Zazu. You haven't. Just Simba has been working really hard lately and I let him sleep in."
Zazu smiled before fluttering in front of the dark beige lioness. "It'll be like old times when you used to take over for Mufasa."
Sarabi laughed before heading north for the northern herds. "Good, because I am in need of a refresher."
"Of course your highness."
Sarabi continued towards the north part of the Pridelands. Having conversation with Zazu really made time fly. Before she knew it the sun was high in the sky. She was about to turn and head home when Zazu pointed something unusual.
"The herd is on the move." Zazu instantly shook the feeling of deja vu.
Sarabi looked towards the gorge and seen the dust in the air. The sound of approaching paws and heavy breathing caused the Queen Mother and the majordomo to turn their attention from the herd to see Nala on some lower rocks.
"Nala?" Sarabi was confused as well as concerned. "What are you doing out here?"
"Sarabi! You must come quick. Stamped in the gorge!"
Sarabi was about to roll her orange eyes and turn away when her daughter-in-law's last words sent unpleasant shivers down her spine.
"Kiara's down there!"
...
Sarabi ran as fast as her legs could run. She had to save Kiara, she just had to.
Zazu flew ahead as the dark beige lioness continued to the gorge. When she got there Zazu was already flying back.
"Zazu, did you see her?" asked Sarabi with concern laced in her voice as tears fell down her face. It was like Simba all over again, only now she knew how her mate must of felt.
Zazu pointed a darker colour tipped wing towards the gorge. "Down there!"
Sarabi looked down and gasped as she seen Kiara holding on for dear life. Kiara wasn't adopted by Simba anymore but Kiara was still Simba's heir and no matter what, Kiara is family.
Time seemed to freeze as a wildebeest rammed into Kiara's save heaven.
Sarabi, immediately hurled herself into the fray. Another wildebeest rammed into Kiara's tree, this time snapping the old thing in half and sending the light gold cub soaring into the air. Sarabi didn't think she just jumped up and gracefully caught her.
Just before being rammed by a passing wildebeest. Kiara fell out of the former queen's muzzle and across the gorge floor. Kiara looked around dazed with blood dripping from her creamy colour muzzle.
"Sarabi!"
Sarabi perked her dark brown rimmed ears at the cries of Kiara, before weakly rising to her light beige paws and running in the direction of the chosen heir's distress.
Before the light gold cub could get a hold of what's going on, she found herself being grabbed by her midsection and lifted up on a ledge.
Just as Sarabi looked into the young green eyes that was full of fear. She was carried back into the stampede by a passing wildebeest.
"Sarabi!" Kiara cried as tears swelled up in her eyes as she scanned the sea of black and brown.
But she didn't come up. Kiara refused to believe that the lioness, she felt the closest to was gone. When the stampede cleared Kiara jumped down from the ledge and searched for the lioness, that she seen as a grandmother.
"Sarabi!"
Kiara started coughing from the dust before looking up at the sound of someone approaching. It was only a stray wildebeest, after it passed by Kiara seen a figure lying in the dust. Holding back her tears she ran over to see the dark beige lioness' bloodied, battered body.
Kiara pinned her ears as she moved closer. "Sarabi?"
The older lioness didn't move. Kiara pulled on one of Sarabi's torn ears but she still didn't get up. Realising that Sarabi was gone, Kiara ran off screaming as tears fell.
"Help! Somebody, anybody! Help..."
With tears falling like a waterfall, the light gold chosen princess turned and walked over to the dead lioness and snuggled up under one of her limp paws.