Cubhood: Chapter 18

Ammit gave a laugh.

"Ahh… So that is how you justify cold blooded murder is it?" Ammit asked. "Nice."

"Cold blooded murder? Hardly." Scar said. "There is no shame in strength." He said.

"Ha! You heard her. She liked it. She knows that's not normal, doesn't she? I bet that gnawed at her. The joy she took in killing Vastra. The pleasure it gave her. Even as a cub, Zira was a vicious piece of work, wasn't she?" He said, cackling. He seemed impressed, whereas Kivuli only looked more and more disturbed with every word. Scar, for his part felt uncomfortable, and strangely compelled to defend his most loyal disciple.

"She grew out of that." Scar commented. "She was frightened of her own power. That is all. Power can be intimidating for a child." Scar said, though he looked troubled. "Zira was strong. She was brave and cunning, and believed in her own convictions enough to –"

"To murder? I bet she did. I bet you loved that."

"I admired her." Scar said. "But this isn't about Zira. This is about me. Leave her out of this." Scar said, annoyed. Kivuli nodded, begrudgingly, as Ammit made choking sounds.

"Dear Spirits, there's two of the degenerates. How does that make you feel, Kivuli, knowing that they were both so perverse? I bet they fuelled each other's madness…" Ammit commented.

"He's right," Kivuli said, "This isn't about Zira." He agreed, though he looked troubled. Zira had shown very early signs of her psychopathy even as a child, though she hadn't seen it for what it was at the time. Scar hadn't just encouraged it, he'd admired it. That was an alarming thing to say. To take pleasure in anyone's death, even that of a hated enemy, was a terrible thing. You couldn't claim to be defending someone's life then. You couldn't claim to be acting out of protection, or self-defence, or justice. It became a twisted self-indulgence of the worst kind, and Kivuli was alarmed that Scar failed to even recognise that.

"It did bother you, didn't it? You'd not killed before then, had you?" Kivuli asked. Scar was silent for a moment.

"I don't think so…" He said, thinking hard. Ammit was silenced.

"You don't… You don't remember the first person you killed? Wow, Scar. That's cold. Congratulations!" Ammit said, sounding pleased. It was as if Scar had just admitted to some previously unknown talent or skill. Kivuli however shook his head.

"No. You hadn't killed before now. Nor had she, had she? For all your bluster and bluff to the hyenas, and other poachers, you'd never killed before. Even those hyenas… You didn't intend to kill any of them. Did you?"

"I was a cub."

"That's not an answer, is it?" Kivuli pointed out. Scar glowered for a moment.

"I was young. I wasn't yet capable of killing anyone." He said.

"That's a lie. You had the roar. A gift from the Kings. The Roar of the Elders. In the wrong paws, that could be dangerous. But instead, you used it as a… balance… a way to bring yourself up on par with the poachers you faced. How else was a cub supposed to confront a pack of adolescent hyenas? Or an adult leopard? That roar put you on equal footing." Kivuli said. Scar was quiet.

"I am not disagreeing with you." He drawled, sounding bored at the statement. Kivuli sighed, sounding annoyed.

"My point." Kivuli said. "Is that you didn't feel the need for wanton slaughter with it, as you went about your duties. Zira killing Vastra shocked you, didn't it?" He said.

"Obviously it shocked me. I'd never seen someone killed before. Not like that. Obviously I'd seen prey, but that's different." He said.

"Why did it shock you?"

"I don't know!"

"You said so yourself, you thought what she did was fine. You thought it was deserved. So if you thought it was justice, if you thought it was self-defence why did it shock you?!"

"That's not fair! I can be shocked, without having to assume the worst of my friend." Scar snapped. Kivuli smiled.

"I just want to know. When did you stop being shocked by murder? Even murder you thought was right." Kivuli asked. "When did you stop feeling pity for the people you killed?" Scar snorted.

"When did you stop feeling pity for the prey you ate?" He snapped.

There was silence again. Blast. Scar's throat went dry. He'd done it again. Allowed his anger and his frustration to get the better of him, and spoken his mind. And yet again, when he spoke his mind, he found it didn't put him in the best of light. Scar growled.

"If you have more to show me, you better show it. This is tiresome." He snapped. Ammit chuckled, and Kivuli nodded in agreement. Very well.
They watched as the white mists of the Twilight realm twisted around them, showing flashes of other memories, before finally settling on a new one. Taka was somewhat surprised at how used to the experience he'd become now.

With the attack on the Black Hyenas at Carrocscir, stories quickly spread of the young lion Prince and his Lion Guard. Now, as Taka grew older, those tales only increased, and people began to recognise the threat that the Lion Guard could pose, to those who'd deliberately attack the Pridelands, or hold their laws and customs with disregard. People who were initially merely curious of the enigmatic child grew to be appropriately wary of the solemn and serious adolescent Prince. The Lion Guard was dangerous. Everyone knew that now, and Taka began to like the taste of that feeling. People began to treat Taka in the same way they treated his father and older brother. Respect and fear oft came paw in paw, and though Taka had no desire to abuse that respect, that didn't mean that he couldn't enjoy it. As if sensing his thoughts, Ammit gave a chuckle.

"You liked how it felt." He said, looking at Scar. Scar smiled.

"Of course I did. I doubt you'd be able to find a lion who wouldn't." He admitted.

"You were Prince Taka, Leader of the Lion Guard. How did you throw it away?" Kivuli asked him.

"I didn't throw it away! It was stolen from me!" Scar snarled. Kivuli hesitated as Ammit began to laugh. Kivuli shot him a filthy look, and the mists about them began to condense once more, to form the familiar tendrils of mist and memory.

They watched with slight curiosity as before their very eyes, time passed by. They watched as the shade of Taka's past grew stronger. His frame kept its lean form he would retain throughout his life, but his although his limbs appeared lithe, Scar and his spirit guides could see that Taka's mane had grown from that dark and ragged matt of black fur into an elegant and well-groomed mane that wreathed his head in a dark black mass of shadow. His eyes glinted in a familiar shade of emerald, and his face was young, unscarred, and without the lines and wears that older-age would bring it. Taka ran through the savannah, at an impressive speed, and Taka was shocked.

In his final years, Scar hadn't spent nearly as much time as he perhaps ought to have considering his appearance. He'd spent too long consumed in bitter envious anger to be concerned with such things, and had been more than happy to leave his appearance be.

In his youth though, Taka had taken a very different approach, and gone now was the young cub who had irritated him in the previous visions and images. Here, now, standing before him, was his former self. Young, impressionable, naive perhaps. But no longer weak or helpless. He was a youth, filled with youth's energy, and youth's recklessness maybe. But marked on his shoulder was the clear and obvious Mark of the Lion Guard. And one look at Taka's confidence and self-assurance was enough to tell him that in the years between this vision and the last (for Taka was not foolish – clearly some time had passed) he had grown in strength and power, and had made use of it, as leader of the Lion Guard. He was fast as well, darting through the savannah with an agility that was lost on all but the fastest of cheetahs, his streamlined form leaving his mane billowing behind him.

Then there was a blur, as another shape passed him. Scar allowed himself a grunt of surprise as the second figure passed him. A flash of pale gold moved in front of him, and for a moment, Scar thought it was Zira. But no, the lion (for that was what it was) that had passed his younger self possessed a great mane that was a dark brown. Kasi's mane was the colour of dark bark, and it spiked behind him as if windswept, and the darkening of his fur that came with age only served as to make his birthmark – that eerie band of pale skin that arced across his face just above his brow – more pronounced. His eyes were the same scarlet that he and his sister shared.

Kasi, the Fastest, left Taka in the dust, blasting ahead of him with frightening speed. Kasi flicked his head behind him, to taunt at Scar who redoubled his efforts, but couldn't maintain that speed for very long. He began to slow, and let loose a low roar – a mortal one – that reverberated around him, ordering the guard to stop.

Kasi came to a halt ahead of them, and circled around, and behind Taka, the rest of the guard filled in.

Jicho was next, the youngest member of the guard, The Keenest of Sight. Like the others Jicho had gained a mane as well as he arrived beside his adoptive brother. His coppery red fur (now a warmer, yet darker, variant even of Taka's fur) now brought with it a light brown mane that lightened his features. His mane extended up his neck and along his chin, giving him a dark goatee that finished off his mane. Jicho's own green eyes were wide, and he was breathing heavily. He pushed his mane back. Like Kasi and Taka, is was an elegant affair, though it was an unusual sight. Between locks of light brown fur, there was a single, stark, streak of white fir from above his brow. It hadn't been there in childhood, unless it had merely been present in his tuft in such low amounts it had been invisible, but now that his tuft had thickened out into his mane, the spike of white fur was a very visible, prominent feature.

"Why do you always go so fast?" Jicho said crossly. Kasi arched any eyebrow. "And I swear, if you say 'cause I am the fastest', I'll scratch your eyes out." Jicho threatened. Kasi grinned, and shook his head.

"I'm impressed you can keep up… sort of… I must be out of practice." He said. Even before he'd finished speaking, they were joined by the other two members of the guard. Nguvu's powerful build had only strengthened and thickened with age. The big boned child had grown into a great hulking behemoth of a lion, as an adolescent he was the size that Taka would later reach at the zenith of his growth, and his muscles rippled with great strength. Unlike his comrades, his Mane was a messy, untidy thing that grew out in all directions. His ears were nearly lost in the mass of Dark brown fur, a shade paler than Kasi's, and a shade lighter than Imani, who hovered at the edges of the gathering. The Strongest he'd been named, and the Strongest he was, as among the four of them, he towered even over Imani and Mufasa, his closest rivals. Scar had sometimes suspected that if Nguvu had wished, he could have challenged Mufasa for the throne. Mufasa would have been too honourable not to refuse such a challenge. Fortunately for the Pridelands, Nguvu had no interest in leadership. In fact, in those rare instances where Taka had been unable to command the Lion guard, Nguvu was the least likely to assume command, and even when the guard discussed matters as a group, he was the least likely to offer new insight. That said, when it was offered, it was usually a healthy combination of thoughtfulness and caution. No, that duty though hardly official, usually fell to Imani, who came last now. The years had been kind to The Bravest, who had matured in appearance, if not in temperament. He, perhaps of all of them, had changed the most. Imani's mane had grown wild and loose like Nguvu's, but he retained some semblance of grooming. In fact, if Scar recalled correctly, Nguvu had spent ages desperately trying to organise his own illustrious mane into something more attractive to the lionesses. Of the four, his was the only mane that could be said to be lighter than his underfur – and even at that, the two were a similar colour. What gave his mane its distinct appearance was not its overall colour, but the presence of lighter and darker shades to his fur. It wasn't a single colour, but appeared to shift depending on how the light caught it, and how it had fallen about his face. Imani had blamed it on his mixed ancestry, (because apparently his four grandparents, being prominent travellers, had been from four different corners of Africa), but Taka thought it much more likely that the great Kings had merely decided that such an inconstant and ostentatious lion, deserved a maddeningly inconsistent and ostentatious mane. He was also powerfully built and very strong. A skilful fighter, and no slough in terms of speed either.

The Lion Guard continued their patrol, and Nguvu gave Taka a glance as he ran alongside him.

"Where are we heading now? Is this it for the day?" The taller lion asked him.

"Not yet". He said. "I want to check something… Near the northern watering hole." Taka said.

Sure enough, when the Guard made their way through the savannah, keeping to the high grass, and their scents downwind, they swiftly detected the smell of blood on the wind. A successful hunt, of some predator. They followed the scent, and quickly discovered the source of the carnage. Sure enough, they discovered a pawful of carcasses, and right between them, were a family of Jackals.
Jackals weren't the most trustworthy of species, he thought to himself grimly. They were almost as bad as wilddogs or hyenas when it came bloodsport, too. The rest of the Guard gave a growl, alerting the jackals to their presence, as Nguvu looked at him.

"How did you know they'd be here?" Nguvu asked him. Taka smiled.

"Let's just say a little bird told me…" Taka said.

"Ah. Zuzu." Nguvu said.

Taka didn't correct him. But the reality was, that it hadn't been Zuzu who'd informed him of the canine's trespassing into their territory. Rather, it had been Shenzi, who'd detected their scents in the early hours of the previous morning. Even so, Taka didn't correct him. He doubted the rest of the Guard would approve of his actions in relying on the hyenas for information.

Seeing them approach, the Jackals retreated, and one of them puffed herself up, and saw all five lions, looking concerned.

"Who are you?" The leader of the Jackals asked in confusion. She was an elegant looking creature, with a dark brown coat, and a pitch black stripe of fur down her back and at the tips of ears. The other, a similarly coloured Jackal and presumably the leader's mate, was staring at the group with undisguised shock, and was nudging his mate urgently.

"Wait, I know you. You're the Pridelands' Lion Guard." He said, looking nervous. The female froze, staring at them. Imani laughed.

"Hear that guys? We're famous!" he said, sounding delighted. Nguvu rolled his eyes.

"Have we done something wrong?" The female asked, backing up. Taka stopped moving towards the skittish canine.

"That's what I am here to find out." He said. His voice had deepened in the intervening months and years from when Scar had last seen the shade of his past self.

"Uh…"

"You're aware you're entering the lands of my Father, the King Ahadi?" Taka asked them. The two Jackals looked at each other.

"Yes... We were lead to believe that Ahadi did not prevent travellers from passing through his land."

"He doesn't." Kasi said.

"But you need to obey laws while you are here." Imani warned them.

"The Circle of Life is to be protected here. Take only what you need. And take only what you can hunt. Do not poach the kills of the other hunters on this savannah. Upset the balance at your peril." Jicho added.

"Are we clear?" Nguvu asked.

"Circle of life… You mean we can't hunt for Sport!?" The male asked indignantly, but the female nudged him to be quiet, an action that Taka noticed.

There was a pregnant pause, as the offending pradators looked about them at the lion guard. Then she nodded, bowing low.

"Of course we will respect your laws and traditions, Prince Taka. You have my word." She said, bowing. The other jackals didn't look too happy at that as a concept, but none protested loudly, and the small pack of jackals didn't look willing to start a fight. The Lion Guard didn't linger for long after that, eventually leaving the jackals in peace, and continuing on their patrols.

"Why do I get the impression we'll be seeing them before long?" Taka remarked to his friends, as they continued on their way.

"They didn't seem too enthused at the idea of obeying the laws." Imani agreed.

"Eh. I don't know. Jackals are crafty creatures. They don't want us kicking them out the Pridelands. They won't like it, but they'll do it all the same." Jicho disagreed. Imani laughed.

"I bet you a flank of zebra we'll be chasing them out the Pridelands for poaching, bloodsport, or something by the end of this moon." Imani said. Jicho snorted, and Kasi rolled his eyes.

"Taka, can we please get going back? I want to be back at Pride Rock before sundown." Kasi pleaded. Jicho nodded in agreement, and Taka smiled.

"Don't worry yourself, guys. We'll be back home in time for Zira's hunt - and Sarafina and Sarabi's as well. Don't fret." Taka said. Jicho grinned sheepishly, but looked pleased.

As promised, the group arrived at Pride Rock, before the lionesses returned from their hunt and found Uru waiting for them. The Elder lionesses weren't hunting today. No, today was a special day. Today was the day the younger lionesses accomplished their first solo hunt, and they didn't want to miss it.

Uru stood up as the Lion Guard slowed and mounted the stones leading up to the Den.

"Welcome back, Lion Guard." The queen greeted them.

"Mother." Taka greeted her, as the other four members of the Guard bowed to the queen.

"Are the lionesses back yet! Uh, Your Majesty?!" Kasi asked her. Uru smiled, at Kasi's eager expression.

"Not yet, Kasi. Neither Sarabi, Sarafina nor your sister, have returned. But we think they'll be back soon. Zuzu and Zazu are trying to keep track of them from above, and two of them are definitely returning."

"Were they successful?" Jicho asked nervously. Uru smiled.

"Now Jicho, you know I can't tell you that." Uru admonished him, good naturedly. Jicho nodded.

Taka looked about expectantly.

"Where's Mufasa? You know he'll want to be here for when Sarabi returns." Taka said. Kasi nudged him, and Taka quickly added "And Sarafina and Zira, too."

Uru's face fell.

"Hmm. I think he's up there." She pointed to the top of Pride Rock. "With your Father." She said. Taka squinted at the dimming sun, sinking below the horizon.

"Still!" He asked, surprised. Uru nodded, her brow furrowed.

"I imagine your father has lost track of time." Jicho reassured him.

"Story of my life…" Taka muttered. And it was a sign of how wearisome of it he was that Uru didn't correct her son, just frowned disapprovingly. "I'll go and… remind him."

"I'll come with you." Imani offered.
And the two left the rest of the Guard with the Queen. Uru smiled. She was a well-liked Queen, and Taka's mother as well, and had known each of the Guard from cubhood. Spending all day, every day around Taka meant that sometimes it was easy to forget the formalities of royalty, and the three young adolescent lions were quickly at ease, chatting with the Queen about what they'd seen on patrol, especially the jackals.

Taka let their conversation fade away as he climbed the top of Pride Rock.

"You seem tense." Imani told him, as they climbed. Taka sighed.

"You were betting with Jicho earlier. What's the bet that Mother was down there all day waiting for her son or mate to have some time for her?" Taka asked him.

"I like a bet Taka, but I'm not stupid." Imani said. Taka blinked at his frankness, and Imani twitched, seemingly aware that he'd spoken out of turn.

"Sorry Taka. That was… I was out of line." He said honestly. Taka shrugged. He'd never cared much for formality. It made it harder to work as a team, a quality that was essential for the Lion Guard to function.

"Imani. Speak your mind. It's usually sound." He said. Imani was quiet for a moment, formulating his thoughts.

"Today is the Lionesses First Hunt – the main hunting party does nothing all day. That's the idea. They need to do it themselves. So Queen Uru probably had a bit more time on her paws than usual. You'd have thought that maybe he'd want to spend it with her." Imani noted. Taka nodded in annoyance.

"You've never said anything like that before…" Taka said. Imani barked a laugh.

"Of course not." He said.

"Why ever not?" Taka asked him. Imani snorted.

"Oh come on Taka! Me? You know that if I were a rouge, your father could kick me out of the Pride whenever he wanted, at the slightest provocation?"

"If I had three days, I couldn't list all the problems with that sentence." Taka said clicking his tongue.

"Oh here we go. Enlighten me to my stupidity…" Imani jested. Taka ignored the barb.

"Firstly, those laws are ancient, no one's has used them in generations…" Taka dismissed them. This was true. "Secondly, you're Pridebound. You were born in the Pridelands. Not only that, you're a member of the Lion Guard. Male or not, you're are not a rouge, so he couldn't just exile you out of paw. You'd need to have broken some law or something. Kasi's the only one here who would be any danger of running afoul of those old laws, and even then it'd be the first time since my grandfather's grandfather a member of the Pride was expelled." Taka said. "And thirdly, even if my father was inclined to exile you, and even if my father was able to exile you, I somehow think if it were going to happen you'd have suffered that fate months ago. Kings know that you've been through enough misadventures to qualify." He said. Imani arched an eyebrow.

"Yes. The Misadventures of my Youth. And you were there for every one of them." He said pointedly. Taka grinned, showing his teeth.

"Ah, but the difference is, I never got caught." He said. "Well… Almost never." He added. Imani laughed.

"But yeah. Maybe you're right. But even so, we're not going to start badmouthing your father near listening ears. That would be stupid! You're not the only guy who criticises your father's rule. You're the only guy who can." Imani said. Taka hesitated, looking at him.

"You've… ummm… never held back because I was a Prince, have you?" he asked, nervous.

"Nah. I'm still bigger than you. You don't scare me." Imani said.

"You're scared of my father?"

"No. Well. You know what I mean. I am consciously aware of the fact that he's larger than me, larger than you, larger than lioness, and larger than any predator this side of Kilimanjaro. But I respect him. Even if I think he's… unwise… to not give his family the attention it deserves." He said.

Taka was quiet. That was unusually empathic of Imani. But Kasi and Zira had both lost their parents very young. Perhaps that was why they were so close to each other and to Jicho? Maybe knowing them had, unbeknownst to them all, inspired Imani to a closer relationship with his mother? Somehow, he'd never seriously considered how his friends had seen his father till now. Sure, Ahadi was imposing, and he could be scary when he was angry. But he was the only adult male lion in the area. He felt a brief spike of anger at the thought that they might be silently judging his father's fitness to rule. Though surprisingly, he felt that surge of anger not at them, but rather at Ahadi himself.

They finished their journey and arrived at the top of Pride Rock. Sure enough, at the edge sat Ahadi and Taka's elder brother. Hearing them approach, Mufasa turned, and smiled.

Like the others, time had aged him. His head was wreathed in a short, but elegant mane, not unlike his brothers. Though time would eventually lead to Mufasa's mane growing thicker and fuller than Scar's more refined mane, the younger Mufasa's mane was not yet that long, and was much the same as Taka's. It wreathed his head, and gave him a mature visage. Unlike his father and brother, his mane was a rusty brown that appeared almost red in the daylight and the warm glow of dusk. His expression was more serious, as was his general demeanour now, though his eyes were still burnt amber, bright and intelligent.

Scar scowled at the sight of his adolescent brother. Whilst he didn't consider his brother to have improved with age, there was something especially revolting about seeing his hated brother in puberty's grip.

Not that his younger shade shared such resentment, and when Mufasa saw him, his expression brightened.

"Hey guys!" He greeted them, as Imani bowed to the King, and nodded his head to Mufasa. "What are you doing up here?" He asked them.

"Father, did you forget what day it is?" he asked them. Ahadi looked puzzled.

"What?" He said. Taka rolled his eyes.

"Today is the day the lionesses complete their first solo hunt! Finally!"

"Oh, that." Ahadi said. "I thought your mother was going to take care of it." He said. Taka stared at him.

"You mean you weren't planning on congratulating them personally?" Taka said.

"Well, we were very busy," Ahadi said. "Preparing Mufasa for the throne. He has to be ready by the time he's an adult, in case anything should… happen." He said.

"Really? And it's not just that you're too good for the rest of us mere mortals down below." Taka jabbed. Mufasa looked hurt, but Ahadi didn't rise to the insult. Instead, he looked at Imani, who was listening, and scowled.

"Taka, you're embarrassing yourself with these childish outbursts, just because you can't have your way." He said. "This is much more serious. Mufasa has been working hard for months now."

That much was true. In fact, ever since the events in the Shadowlands, Mufasa had redoubled his efforts, throwing himself into his father's lessons. And it had to be said, he had flourished. Once he'd gained confidence in himself, he'd applied himself with full vigour, as was a very able student. He was also hesitant to ask his father to cancel the lessons which were so important to the both of them.

"Oh for King's sake." He looked to Mufasa. "It's Sarabi's first hunt, Mufasa! You're going to spend it up here?" He asked him.

"Taka, this is serious."

"Father, they're our friends, it's important to them. You were there for Mother's first hunt, weren't you?" He said. Mufasa blushed heavily.

"It's not like that!" He protested, but Imani – breaking all royal protocol, stamped on Mufasa's forepaw, and glared at him.

"Come on. You've got to let Mufasa go." He urged him.

Taka's ploy paid off, because Ahadi looked at Mufasa with an apprising eye, as if seeing him anew. He then sighed, defeated.

"Ah. So that's it is it? Very well. I suppose we can forgo the rest of the day." Ahadi agreed. Mufasa grinned, looking pleased, and rushed to join his friends, with all the eagerness of a cub half his age.

The two descended down, Pride Rock, again grinning. Mufasa looked embarrassed, but Imani looked impressed that Taka knew just what to say to get Ahadi on their side. He doubted Ahadi even noticed the lingering resentment from their previous conversation.

"Who'd have thought it? He's a many faceted lion, your father." Imani said, as they descended back down. "And a romantic. Funny how people can surprise you." He commented, as Mufasa blushed again.

"Guys, come on!"

"So you don't like Sarabi?" Taka teased him. Mufasa snorted, and didn't dignify it with a response. When they arrived back at the base, they found Uru, the Lion Guard, and indeed, a large portion of the lionesses awaiting them.

"Zira and the others are on their way back!" Kasi said looking excited. The three lions grinned, and moved to the edge of Pride Rock, where, sure enough, they could see three figures, on their way back, fortuitously making their way back at the same time.

Sarafina, Sarabi and Zira, one after the other, approaching Pride Rock. There were loud cheers, as they made their way towards them, and it became clear that all of them were dragging a kill. Two zebra and an ibex between them. Blood ran between them, one with its neck broken, and two others with its throat slashed either choked to death, or bled out. It was impossible to say for sure, but they were clear clears. And all were adults. None were younglings, older, or sick from the look. And Taka was prepared to bet than none of them had been injured prior to the hunt.

"Congratulations!" Taka cheered with the others, as the lionesses dropped their kills in front of Uru, the leader of the hunting party, panting with effort, but looking pleased. Sauda, Talia, and Sarabi's mother all cheered at their daughters' successes, and Kasi and Jicho both practically jumped on Zira.

"Well done, girls!" Uru told them, and the three bowed before the queen, but Uru waved away the formal gesture. "Excellent work. I knew it from when you were cubs. Some of the finest hunters this Pride has ever seen." She said, grinning. "You are to report for the hunting party tomorrow, at first light!" She said, light in her eyes dancing. The girls nodded excitedly. They were considered adults now, not cubs any longer. They fought with the others, they hunted in the hunting parties. And technically, they could seek out mates, though admittedly, that usually waited a little more time. The other lionesses split up, formalities over but Taka and his friends remained to celebrate.

"Well done!" Taka said, grinning. Zira smiled and laughed.

"Thank you!" She said, smiling. "For everything. I doubt I'd have done so well, if it weren't for your tips!" She said. Taka snorted.

"I was barely involved. This was all you Zira." He said. Zira practically purred, and licked his face, making Taka blink. She giggled at his reaction.

"Thank you all the same, Taka." She said. Taka nodded slowly.

Meanwhile, Sarabi was chattering excitedly, with Mufasa and Uru.

"I am glad you could make it. I was worried your father would keep you working all day, and you'd miss it!" She said. Mufasa smiled, guiltily.

"How could I miss this?!" He asked. "This is a special day for you!" He said. Sarabi smiled.

"Thank you, Mufasa. Couldn't have done it without you." She said.

"Liar."
"I know, but it sounded polite." Sarabi laughed.

Sarafina watched the two of them, shaking her head.

"Am I the only one who wasn't getting one on one tuition in the run up to this?" She asked in faux indignation.

"No." There was a Chorus, Imani, Jicho and Nguvu chorused. Sarafina's cheeked reddened as Imani stepped forwards.

"You asked all of us, for tips. Remember?" He teased her. Sarafina blushed again.

"Well…"

"Besides. It was never about the hunting, with those pairs." Imani said, grinning, his tongue lolling out.

"Okaaaaaaay." Taka said, putting an end to that line of thought before it could begin. Before he could change the subject though, he was interrupted by the heavy footfall behind them. The lionesses, and most of the Lion Guard instantly bowed at Ahadi's arrival. He was smiling though.

"Congratulations you three." He said. "I hear the Pride has three new huntresses."

"Yes, thank you, sire." Sarabi said. Ahadi nodded.

"Taka, Mufasa… if I might have a word." Ahadi said slowly. The two lions glanced at each other, but pulled away from the others to speak privately. "I am sorry that I have not been as free as I would like." Ahadi said, and it was clear from the look in his eye, that he was telling the truth. Being King brought with it many responsibilities, and managing those whilst simultaneously teaching his son to do the same, was draining.

"It's okay Father." Mufasa said. "We understand."

Ahadi looked to the three lionesses, and the Lion Guard, and smiled.

"Hold on to your friends." He said, suddenly, confusing Taka. "You'll find it's infinitely harder to rule alone. You don't know how lucky you are to have Taka and the Lion Guard, Mufasa." He said, trailing off. He shook his head. "I've been too distant lately." He said. Taka didn't disagree, but Mufasa looked at Ahadi with concern.

"Father…"

Ahadi brightened. "We welcomed three new huntresses today. We should go hunting together. You two, me, your mother. Bring Sarabi." He said, looking at Mufasa. Mufasa opened his mouth to object, and Taka laughed. Ahadi turned to Taka. "You should bring Sarafina. Or Zira." He said. Taka froze, and Mufasa choked a laugh at Taka's shocked expression.
"Why?!" Taka asked. Ahadi hummed.

"Oh, no reason." He said. "If you'll excuse me, I need to meet with one of the Cheetah's emissaries." He said, sounding annoyed. Of course. As he pawed away though, he turned back to Taka.

"Taka?" He called.

"Yes?" Taka responded. Ahadi grinned.
"Sarafina or Zira." He said. "It's not that sort of hunting trip." He said. Taka practically fled, blanching, looking at Mufasa's amused expression.

"You say a word to any of them, I'll claw your eyes out." Taka threatened. Mufasa only laughed, but offered no reassurances, a fact that made Taka nervous.

"What did the King want?" Sarafina asked them.
"He just offered some advice." Mufasa said, cheerfully.

"Let's go." Taka said, leading the way to the back of the den. Not to the main den but to the Lair of the Lion Guard.
"I thought only the Lion Guard could come in here?" Sarabi asked, looking around. Taka grinned.

"Oh I think we can make an exception today." He said cheerfully.

When they went inside, they discovered the kills the lionesses had made.

"You've forgotten the most important thing," Mufasa said, "About deciding who the best hunter is. Whose kill tastes the best?"

"I thought their kills were meant to be taken to the main den, where we store the meat…" Kasi said.

"That's the funny thing about being a Prince." Taka said, conversationally. "If you tell someone to do something, most of the time, they'll do it. Whether or not they are supposed to." He grinned. "Ladies, with your permission?" He asked. Zira's brow furrowed in confusion.
"You're asking us?"

"Hey, it's your kill. Forget royal prerogatives." Taka said.

"That's right…" Sarabi said, grinning. "It really is. And it feels awesome."