Judgement

Cubhood

Chapter 15

When the mists rematerialized around them, Scar was glad for the change. He didn't look at Kivuli, though he could feel his penetrating gaze boring into the back of his head. He looked about for the echo of his former self, but couldn't see him. Instead he focused on a pair of a familiar figures crouched low in the savannah.

Zira and Sarafina. The two lionesses were pressed low to the ground. Some time had clearly passed for them but they weren't fully grown lionesses by any means. Puberty had yet to rid of them their childlike forms, and experience had yet to rid of them of their cubhood innocence. But they were older. Like the Lion Guard, they had developed some muscle and length of bone, though the obvious lack of a mane made the passage of time more difficult to judge.

"Okay Zira… go go!" Sarafina called. Zira darted forwards like a serpent towards the waiting buffalo. She wasn't as quick as her brother, but of the lionesses Scar knew, he couldn't think of anyone faster. There was a hungry look to her eyes, and he knew that the thrill of the hunt had gripped her.

But the Buffalo were already moving before she'd even begun to close the gap. Suddenly they swerved away from where Zira had intended to herd them, separating and losing all cohesion.
"What!" Zira shouted in annoyance. "NO!" They were too far away now. She pulled to a halt in frustration and kicked at a rock.

"Damn it!" She seethed in anger.

"What happened?" Sarafina said, rushing up towards him. Zira ground her teeth.

"Hi girls! How's it going?" Imani said, and bounded up to the two lionesses. Sarafina sighed. Of course.

Behind Imani came the familiar shapes of the Lion Guard, chatting conversationally with each other, completely ignorant of the hunt they'd just interrupted. It soon became abundantly clear that the Lion Guard had blundered right into their hunt, and the scent had thrown the herd into complete disarray at just the wrong moment. Zira – intending to herd the animals towards their awaiting ambusher – had been unable to force them into the correct direction. The prey animals had panicked and ran, as they always did. She growled softly.

"TAKA!" She shouted in anger. Taka froze. What had he done now? "You blithering idiot!" She snapped.

"Uh… Hello Zira?" He ask, looking confused.

"Zira!" Kasi said, her brother joining up. Zira sent him a seething, burning look, that so intimidated Kasi he took a step back and swallowed. "Nice… to… see you?" He asked uncertainty.

"What are you doing here?" Zira asked him. The Lion Guard looked at one another.

"Well, we were on our way back from patrol this morning, and Father mentioned you'd been hunting. So when we picked up your scent, we followed it here to see you." Jicho said brightly.

"Hey!" They turned to see the other voice. It was Sarabi, finally joining them. "What happened?" She asked crossly.

"The Lion Guard happened." Zira said, annoyed. "I was herding the prey to you just like we discussed, just like we planned… and then these bozos turned up and spooked the herd just before I ambushed them." She said. Taka blinked.

"Ah." He said, realising his error. Sarabi, Sarafina and Zira turned to look at him, identical expressions of fury in their eyes. Sarabi sighed.

"Great." She said. Imani looked affronted. "Now come on, that's a little unfair!" He said. "We just wanted to say hello." He said.

"Imani, how many times! Don't interrupt a lioness when she is on a hunt!" Sarabi said. Imani grinned.

"Well, technically, you three haven't completed your first hunt yet have you? Arguably, you're not a lioness – still a cub. And arguably, this wasn't a hunt." He asked. Zira ground her teeth in frustration.

"Really? Is that an argument you'd like to have, because really, we can have it if that's what you want." She said. Taka winced. Oops.

"Uh… Sorry ladies. We uh… won't do that again." He said, intervening. Zira sighed as Kasi looked uncomfortable. Jicho looked at his adopted siblings and gave a sympathetic smile.

"Sorry Zira. We'll make it up to you." He promised. Zira looked at him doubtfully.

"And how are you going to do that?" She asked him. Jicho shrugged.

"I'll think of something. It'll be a surprise." He said. The corners of Zira's mouth twitched. She did like surprises. She sighed.

"I can't stay mad at you guys…" She said, looking at Kasi and Jicho and Taka.

"You just haven't had enough practice yet…" Sarabi muttered, looking at them both.

"Alright Lion Guard." Sarafina asked, changing the subject. "Spill. What's the news in the Pridelands?" She asked them. Taka grinned.

"All good news, I think. Some of the smaller prey animals are agreeing that the rain season is well on its way. Caliban and his crew of rouges haven't been spotted in a while. They seem nervous of crossing the borders at this rate. If you want a more detailed analysis, ask Zazu."

"Zuzu's chick?"

"That's the one. He's very involved in his mothers work. I think she's grooming him to replace her one day." Taka said. Sarabi smiled.

"Oh that would be nice. I've grown rather fond of that bird."

"He's… very thorough." Taka agreed. "What have you been up too? You've been spending a lot of time hunting recently." Taka asked, changing the subject from their avian majordomo.

"Well, Queen Uru's been dropping hints that we might finally take our first solo hunt when the rain season comes and goes. So Sarabi, Zira and I have been practicing." Sarafina said. Taka looked at the three lionesses. Zira was chatting with Kasi and Jicho, and Sarabi gave him another small smile.

"Ah… How's it been going?" He asked them. Sarafina's face fell.

"Well… mixed results." She admitted. "But we're getting better… We were doing really well until you blundered right into it." She said. Taka nodded.

"I am sure you'll all get it in time for your first hunt. You're all really good at hunting. I heard Mum say she'd never seen so many naturally gifted lionesses of the same age before. You just need the practice." He encouraged them. Sarafina grinned. "So sweet of you to say so Taka." She said. Taka grinned.

"You're all excellent hunters. Just remember, hunting solo is very different to hunting as a group. You have no backup, no relief. But you and your own skill. You won't be able to herd the prey into each other when you're by yourself." Imani reminded her. Sarabi sighed.

"I was planning on trying to herd them into mud or the swamplands... Or the river," Sarabi said, looking suddenly anxious. Nguvu nudged Imani.

"Imani is just trying to be helpful." He said, looking at Imani disapprovingly. Zira gave a knowing snort at that. Sarabi looked bothered though.

"You okay, Sarabi?" Jicho asked, noting her attitude.

"I am fine. Just a little worn out. Zira and Sarafina nearly managed it… I'm still lagging behind though…" Sarabi admitted. "I can't seem to focus."

"I told you. Mother thinks you're all fantastic hunters. You'll get better well in time for your first hunt. Don't worry about it." Taka reassured her.

"Thanks Taka. Are you heading back to Pride Rock now?" She asked him.

"The Guard is done for the day, so we were heading back to the den, that's right." Taka said.

"I think I'll join you." She decided, standing up.
"No Sarabi, stick around! We were planning on trying again somewhere north of here… where we won't be interrupted by idiot males…" Sarafina said. Sarabi shook her head.

"No… I've had enough for one day. Forget it. You two hunt together." Sarabi said, looking disheartened. "I think I've had enough. I'll head back with the Guard. Someone competent needs to keep them out of trouble." She said, prompting smirks from the other lionesses. Sarafina and Zira departed to continue their hunt.

Sarabi looked about at her escort.

"Well then, mighty warriors of the Pridelands?" She asked them. Taka smirked.

"Let's go home."

The Lioness and her escort made their back through the Pridelands at a leisurely pace. There was no sign of any trouble in the Pridelands, and neither Zuzu, nor her son, had informed them of any emergencies. So they trekked back home in the way all lions eventually do if left to their own devices. At the foot of Pride Rock, the guard split up, leaving Sarabi alone with Taka.

"Hmm… Want to see if Mufasa is done yet? He's probably still taking his lessons from Dad." Taka said.

"Sure, if you think your father won't mind." Sarabi agreed. Taka looked towards the sun.

"Its nearly dusk. They should be about done, I think." He decided.

Sure enough they climbed up the side of Pride Rock, and found Mufasa and their Father standing the parapet that overhung the Savannah. The view wasn't quite as impressive as atop Pride Rock itself, but the height less dizzying, and there was much more room to maneuverer. When they approached, they could make out King Ahadi's voice.

"Now, Mufasa, do you remember what I told you about the Lion Kingdoms? Do you remember how many there are?" Their father asked him.

"There are Seven Lands in the Serengeti, aren't there?" Mufasa said. Ahadi nodded.

"Three Kingdoms, and Four Territories, that's right. Yes, that's right. But only the Kingdoms are the dominion of the Lion Kings. Can you recall their names?" Ahadi was asking him. This was how Ahadi taught his sons. Long, almost dull conversations about seemingly anything at all, that could sometimes last for hours He answer questions, and offer insights, and personal anecdotes about whatever it was they were discussing. Then, when their talks were over he'd ask, usually patiently for them to recall some minor detail which they'd discussed. Sometimes it would be something from weeks ago.

"Let's see… Well, there's the Pridelands, here." Mufasa began. "And the Outlands, and Shadowlands, to the north of here." He continued.

"That's right. They can look the same and the two tend to blend into each other, especially where the borders aren't marked. Trinities point is a good place to mark their border. The Outlands are the wasteland to the north of here. Dusty, acrid, dry and infested with termites." Ahadi reminded him.

"And the Shadowlands are the mountainous, craggy rocky areas." Mufasa finished.

"Not just razor-sharp rocks. Geysers and other sources of seismic instability are very common." Ahadi told him. "You need to be cautious if you are ever forced to venture there. It isn't a safe environment. But I doubt you'll ever have much call to visit there. Lion's don't live in either territory. The Shadowlands are ruled by the hyena clans – and the Outlands are lived in by all sorts of rouges, nomads and other unsavoury types. They're also home to aberrant hyenas… the ones who don't play well with the rest of their clan." Mufasa nodded, but before he could speak, Taka and Sarabi arrived.

"I know this!" Taka said. "The other two Kingdoms are the Mountainlands and the Southlands." He said. Ahadi and Mufasa turned to them, seeing their arrival. Mufasa's face broke into a wide grin when he saw them.

"Sarabi! Brother!" He greeted them, and Ahadi smiled.

"Hello, Taka. Sarabi".

"Your Majesty." Sarabi greeted them. Mufasa grinned at her. Ahadi looked pleased to see them.

"That's right Taka." He paused. "How did you know that?" He asked, curiously. Taka scoffed, looking offended.

"I know things! I think you mentioned it once to me and mother when a bird arrived with a message from one or the other of them…" he said vaguely. Ahadi frowned.
"That must have been seasons ago… Probably before you formed the lion Guard." He said. Taka shrugged. He had a good memory.

"Yeah… The Mountainlands are the furthest away, beyond the Great Desert, and the Jungle… It's awkward to get there, because you have get past both, and then try to cross the mountains, and that can get very difficult, and very cold if you try to cross at the wrong time of year. We don't hear from them often." He said.

"And the other Pride's in the Southlands?" Sarabi asked him curiously, joining in for the first time.

"Yeah… The Southrons. The southernmost point of the Pridelands links to the Great Desert… but it's not very long distance southward. It clears out into Savannah after less than a day's travel. After that you're pretty much there. We have much closer links to the Southern Pride. The King visits every couple of seasons." Taka said. Mufasa shook his head in annoyance.

"How do you remember all this stuff? I can't keep it straight in my head…" He said. Ahadi gave his son an understanding look.

"Son… this is something you'll have to learn if you're going to be King." He said patiently. Mufasa snorted.

"Why? I can always just ask Taka!" he said. Ahadi looked at him flatly. Mufasa sighed.

"Alright, I get it. 'Taka has his own responsibilities as leader of the Lion Guard.' I know." Mufasa said. Ahadi sighed.

"We'll continue this tomorrow… We still have the Swamplands and Edgelands to cover. You boys catch up with each other. I have to go speak to Zuzu." He said. Taka frowned.

"You're leaving already? But I just got back off patrol…" he said, sounding disappointed.

"Sorry Taka. Things to do." He said. He nodded to Sarabi, who bowed in greeting, and took his leave. Taka, Mufasa and Sarabi watched him leave.

"How come he always has time for you?" Taka asked distractedly.

"Maybe because if he doesn't, the Pridelands might end up with an incompetent King?" Sarabi asked. Taka snorted.

"That's only delaying the inevitable. Try as we might, some things can't be changed if they are the will of the Kings." He said, shooting Mufasa a look. Mufasa scowled, as Sarabi laughed.

"Hey, that's not funny!" He said indignantly. Taka grinned in mock apology.

"Sorry brother." He said, though Mufasa didn't look convinced. He sat down on the grass and shook his head.

"You're not missing much. Honestly." Mufasa said as Taka continued to look troubled. He shook his head. He paused. "Where even are the Edgelands?" He asked him. Taka sighed.

"West. Past the Zuberi River and then some leagues. There's no real border but you're kind of there when Pride Rock drops out of sight. Its where most of the Leopard Tribes live – the ones who don't live in the Pridelands anyway. Some aren't keen on living under the rule of a Lion."

"How'd you remember all that from something Father said once?" he asked him curiously. Taka shrugged.

"I remember stuff. Besides, Zuzu uses them as directions when she gives reports. Coming from the Outlands or Shadowlands for North… The Swamplands or Desert for East. The Edgelands or Southlands for West and South. It kinda sticks in your head after a while." He said distractedly.

"Hmm… Maybe I should speak to Zazu… Might help to have an eye in the sky every now and then." He considered.

"Don't worry too much about your lessons, Mufasa." Sarabi said. "It can't possibly be going as bad as mine." She said, and proceeded to relate how she and the other lionesses had spent the day hunting, with very mixed success. Whilst Zira and Sarafina both seemed to be getting the basics of solo hunting now, Sarabi was still having a rough time of it. This surprised Mufasa, who looked at her in surprise.

"But you're one of the best hunters in the Pride! I've seen you hunt, you're graceful and fast, and…" He trailed off blushing, aware of what he'd just said. Sarabi smiled.

"That's very sweet of you!" She said. "I'm just not as fast as Sarafina, or as stealthy as Zira… I can't keep up on a solo hunt. When I'm working with a hunting party I can adapt, I can plan, I can…" She trailed off. "Anyway." She brightened. "Maybe you can show me some tips sometimes? Males all hunt alone anyway so you'll probably have lots to show me!" She said brightly. Mufasa swallowed.

"Um… I don't know Sarabi. Mom and Dad taught us the basics, but uh… you know how the lionesses get with males hunting." He said, looking embarrassed. Sarabi frowned.

"What? You're good at it!" At Mufasa's unsure expression, she sighed in exasperation "Really? Ashamed of your own skill because it's not masculine enough for you? Or is hunting only a male's job when it's got claws and teeth and trying to cut out your throat at the same time?" Sarabi asked him. Mufasa sighed in relief.

"Yes! Thank you, yes that's exactly it. Nicely put." He said. Taka put a paw to his face.

"Good Kings Mufasa, this is like pulling teeth! Just go on the blasted hunt with her, you'll enjoy it! Stop being such a prude." He said, having no doubt whatsoever that Mufasa was more concerned about being alone with Sarabi than hunting with her.

With no more excuses, and only a small amount of blustering on Mufasa's part, Taka watched them leave, shaking his head. He continued alone on his way up to the den, and entered it humming to himself.

"Taka!" He heard. Taka smiled, and turned to see his mother, Uru.

"Hi Mom." He said, leaning in a nuzzling his mother's neck in greeting. She purred.

"And how's my Fiercest Prince?" She asked him. Taka smiled.

"I am good, Mom. Just got back from patrol."

"Dealing with Caliban's lackeys?" She asked, sympathetically.

"Nah… Not had to deal with him for a few weeks now. I don't know if he's finally got the message, planning something bigger, or just decided it isn't worth the aggravation to try and poach in the Pridelands." He said. Uru smiled proudly. "Maybe with Shenzi and her crew in the Pridelands there's more food to go round in the Outlands or something…" He wondered.

"Who?"

"Hmm? Oh, nothing." He said. He wasn't quite ready for that conversation.

"Where's your brother? You come off patrol at about the same time his lessons with your father end… I'd have thought you'd be back together." She asked him. Taka smirked.

"Oh, no he's got a date with Sarabi." He said offhandedly. Uru's eyebrows shot up.

"Taka what have you done?" She asked him cautiously. Taka grinned.

"Sarabi's got him to show her some of his hunting techniques or something. Didn't give him much choice in the matter. I helped." He said. Uru laughed.

"They get on rather well, don't they?" She said.

"I guess so." Taka said. "What about you though? I've been on patrol… The lionesses were hunting. Mufasa had his lessons with Dad. What have you been doing today?" He asked her. His mother's face fell.

"Oh… well… I went hunting with some of the lionesses. I'd planned on spending some time with your father but… Well… He was very busy." Uru said. Taka snorted.

"I've heard that before…" He muttered.

"Taka…"

"It's okay." He stood up, forcing a smile. "Let's go to the top of Pride Rock. Mufasa and Dad go there in the sunrise. I don't think I've ever seen it at dusk before." He said quietly. Uru rose, and nuzzled her son.

"I think that would be wonderful." She said, and followed Taka outside of the den.

"Zira! Nicely done!" Sarafina said, as Zira gave a crow of laughter, her claws and jaws splashed in blood. The look in Zira's eyes though undid any thoughts of intimidation that might have struck some of the less carnivorous species.

"I did it!" Zira exclaimed in elation. "Have some!" She turned to Sarafina excitedly. The buffalo lay twisted and gorged on the ground, and the two lionesses immediately set about feasting their well-deserved reward. After a few moments of gorging themselves on the bloody juicy meat, Sarafina sat back her haunches, thoughtful.

"How will we get it all back?" She asked her friend. Zira frowned, thinking.

"Maybe we can get Taka and his friends to help? They owe us for interrupting our Hunt earlier. Having two brothers on the Lion Guard has to have some perks." She said. Sarafina smiled. It was a good idea. However she looked about.

"Huh. Might need to think of a different plan… It's already dusk." She noted. Zira frowned, looking around.

"Blast… And we came out quite far after the Blunder Band came by earlier…" She noted, looking frustrated. Sarabi paused.

"How far did we come out to?" She asked, looking about. They had travelled north, squinting she could make out a river to the north… That'd explain the presence of herds. Sarafina rolled her eyes.

"Kings damn it… We're all the way out at the borders… It's going to take forever to get back to the den. Mother's going to be annoyed."

"I am more concerned about getting a decent spot in the middle of the den… The edges are draughty…" Zira said.

"I am afraid you're going to have much bigger problems…"A voice snapped. Zira felt her chest tighten in panic as she whirled around and beheld a familiar pair of yellow eyes.

"Caliban…" She whispered in dread, and immediately shrank back into Sarafina. Sarafina looked about wildly, swallowing. There were at least half a dozen hyenas, and each of them older than they were, and easily as big.

"Zira…" She muttered, feeling the lioness next to her take in breath sharply. Her eyes were wide with panic.

"'Fina, what do we do?" She hissed in alarm.

"Blasted hyenas. Go back to where you came from, there's meat to be had in the Outlands." She snapped, trying to sound braver than she felt. Caliban leered at her and next to her, she felt Zira cringe.

"Now why would we do that, when there is meat you oh so generously hunted for us here?" Caliban asked her, as several of his crew barged past them to feast noisily on the meat in front of them. Sarafina forced back the surge of anger. Priorities. Meat was meat. She growled in disgust.

"Fine then. Keep the blasted meat." She said, nudging Zira. "Let's get out of here." She said.

"Ah ah ah! Now wait just a moment!" Caliban said, and the surrounding hyenas tightened closer, closing the gaps between them. Zira shrank back further. Sarafina licked her lips nervously.

"Caliban…" She warned.

"Oh don't worry your pretty head off lion-cub. As delicious as I am sure Lion flank is…" He bared his teeth. "We're not going to kill you for food. Hah. After all, you're our ticket to free lunch." He said.

"Excuse me?" Sarafina asked in indignation. One hyena came too close, as she swiped at his head, forcing it to retreat. Another snapped at her, and her heart leapt in her chest as she flinched away. Some of the hyenas started laughing at that, and she growled. Caliban chuckled.

"See, not so high and mighty now are ya?" He asked her. Sarafina growled in fury, then flinched back in fear as another snapped right next to her head. Another chorus of giggling filled the air.

"What are you talking about? You've got your meal, let us go. Before you get your butts handed to you again, and driven out of the Pridelands." She said unconvincingly.

"Yeah, sure. We got our meal." Caliban said. "But the thing is… it's been getting harder and harder to get into the Pridelands since Taka and his precious Lion Guard started defending the Pridelands borders…" He said. Sarafina grinned at that. "You can't get a dishonest day's poaching done no more." He lamented.

"Too bad." Sarafina said.

"Yeah… But me and the boys, we get ourselves thinking… It would be so much easier if the Lion Guard wasn't around no more. But no one tells Taka what to do… Except for the King of course." He said, grinning.
"Well good luck convincing the King to call off his Son." Zira managed to say. Caliban turned his gaze on her, and took a threatening step closer.

"Oh I don't think he'll need that much convincing. She… There's only one King. But there's quite a few lionesses… And I think that a King as wise and benevolent as Ahadi, will just have to listen to his subjects when they ask him to see reason. The lionesses are loyal to a fault, little lioness. But how many remain loyal when their precious daughters end up dead?" he asked her. Sarafina growled, baring teeth.

"Don't you touch me. You think killing us will make you safer from the Lion Guard?" She asked, fear stirring again in the pit of her stomach.

"Kill you? Oh my dear no… We're not going to kill you. You'll be kept safe and sound..."

"So long as Taka lets you hunt in the Pridelands, is that it?" Sarafina asked.

"Well, I'll admit you catch on quick. But you know us Hyenas, we like to save time. We think that it will save so much aggravation for everyone if Taka and his pathetic Guard just bring us the meat directly. We'll stay out of the Pridelands, he stays out of the Outlands. He keeps food in our stomach, and you getting breath in your lungs. A fair deal all round, wouldn't you say?" Caliban asked them. Sarafina gulped, looking about in fear. There were too many. Too many to run. Too many to fight. She swallowed.

"You… You can't do that!"

"Oh my dear I think you'll find that I can." He said, and laughed.

"Prince Taka and the Lion Guard are on patrol today! You really don't want to be sticking around. You should just run whilst you still have the chance!" Sarafina said anxiously.

"Now that I agree with." Caliban said. "That's why we'd better get moving, hadn't we? Hahahah. Last one there's an amputee… Or will be at any rate…" He said, laughing at his own joke.

"'Fina!" Zira asked in terror, as hyenas closed in around them. Zira was terrified, she'd been frightened of hyenas for months, ever since they'd killed her parents, and now, now they were taking her from her home, taking her back to the Outlands, the savage lands where her parents had died, the land where her nightmares lived.

"No, no!" Zira gasped in panic, as another hyena snapped close to her. She yelped, unable to contain her rising fear, and the hyenas laughed at her obvious fear.

"Wait!" Sarafina said. "Let her go! You don't need the two of us, so just let her go!" She said, looking at Zira's panicked expression. Caliban looked at them both.

"She'll slow us down…" He noted. "And we'll need someone to carry our message to the King…" He considered.

"Yes. That's right. Just… just let her go." Sarafina urged them. He looked at them both for a moment, at Zira's petrified expression. Caliban's face split into a cruel grin.

"Nah." He said. "I'll send a Vulture. Two snacks are better than one." Caliban have one last look around him, snorted in satisfaction, let loose a laugh of malicious mirth, turned tail and ran back away from the Pridelands and towards their borders, taking the lionesses with them.

After the pack of hyenas and their unfortunate captives had left, there was silence throughout the Pridelands. Then, behind a pile of disregarded rocks and stone, muttered and angry voices could be heard.

"Not our business, Shenzi! Really Not our business!" Banzai urged the female hyena pup. Shenzi glared at him.

"Ya idiot. Ya think the boss is gonna like this? One bit?" She asked him.
"No! That's why we shouldn't tell him!" Banzai protested. Ed jabbered away his usual dialect of muffled laughs and giggles.

"Ed's right Banzai. Couldn't have put it better." Shenzi said. "We need to tell Taka and the Lion Guard before this gets out of paw! Caliban might be a vicious idiot, but he's still an idiot, and if this thing gets blown out of the water you can kiss the Pridelands goodbye…" She warned him. Banzai looked fondly at the bone he was busy sucking the marrow out of. He sighed.

"Alright, alright… Who died and made you matriarch?" He asked her. Shenzi's expression quieted him instantly. "Okay!" He conceded. "Fine. Fine! Let's do it. Let's just stroll up to the King, and tell him that two lioness, practically still cubs, have been taken from the Pridelands. Great. I bet we'll get a great reception." Banzai said. Shenzi growled, and Banzai sighed.

"I have a really bad feeling about this." He lamented.