Author's note; this is the prequel story to The Lion King. This story will mainly focus on Mufasa, but it will feature Sarabi (quite a bit), Sarafina (in later chapters), and of course Taka (AKA Scar). Also featuring Ahadi, Uru and Sarafina's mate; ???? I have many versions of Mufasa's story, and I am finally writing one of them. This story will start from Mufasa's birth, up until Simba's. Also, just so you should know, if you are looking for a romantic story or romance complicated things, then this story isn't for you. While there will be a bit of romantic moments, I will not be exploring them.
In the heart of the Pridelands, a giant kopje stood, home to the lion pride that lived there. It was late by night as a yellow lion with a black mane and red eyes paced outside the den in which the lions slept. Several other members lay waiting outside while the screams of a lioness came from within the den.
Eventually, the screams died down leaving silence in its wake. A few moments later, a brown lioness stepped out. All eyes were on the lioness as the male turned expectantly towards her.
The lioness smiled reassuringly. "You can go in now, Ahadi," she said. Ahadi swept quickly into the den. A red-brown lioness lay on a raised platform at the back with a few lionesses lying not far from her. She lifted her head and smiled as she saw her mate. Her green eyes were full of exhaustion, yet they sparkled with a sense of joy.
Ahadi approached the lioness. "Uru," he sighed. "Did everything go alright?"
"Everything went fine," she replied with a smile. She shifted her front paws to reveal a small bundle of golden fur nestled against her chest. Ahadi stared at the little cub, his eyes filled with love and wonder. "Its our little prince," Uru sighed.
"He's so cute," breathed Ahadi. "What should we name him?"
"I've been thinking of naming him Mufasa," Uru replied. "It means 'king'."
"I think it suits him," Ahadi smiled. He lay down next to his mate and put his head next to his cub. Mufasa lifted his tiny head off the ground and moved towards the new scent his little nose had picked up.
"He knows where his daddy is," Ahadi chuckled. "Hey there, Mufasa," he cooed as he gave his son a small lick. Mufasa gave a small squeak at the touch.
Uru smiled. She pulled Mufasa to her chest and lay her head onto Ahadi's shoulders. The exhaustion from giving birth caught up with her as she fell asleep against her mate.
The peaceful afternoon atmosphere at Priderock was shattered as a golden cub tore through the resting area, dodging pride members with a tan female cub with black ear rims in hot pursuit.
Arriving back from his daily rounds, Ahadi walked into the resting area for a quick nap to have Mufasa barrelling into his leg.
Mufasa grinned up at his father. "Hi, Dad," he called.
"Hi, Son," Ahadi chuckled. "What are you running from?"
Mufasa suddenly remembered his pursuer and jumped to his feet. But it was too late. Before he could go two steps, the female cub pounced on him with a playful growl. The two cubs tumbled and rolled until they came to a stop with Mufasa lying flat on his back while the female stood triumphantly on his chest.
"Got you pinned!" She giggled turning around on Mufasa's chest and sitting down with her tail in his face.
"Sarabi, get off me!" Mufasa wined.
"No," she grinned and daintily licked her paw. Her tail swished into Mufasa's mouth. He spat out some of the fur.
"Get your tail out of my face!" He grunted as he pushed against her with all of his strength. Sarabi slid off Mufasa giggling as he rolled onto his stomach and got to his feet scowling at her.
Mufasa had grown into a round, healthy cub. His eyes were sunset red like his mother's and a few long hairs stood at the top of his head.
Sarabi was quite a large cub for her age. Her fur was a tan colour and lay smoothly on her body. Her eyes were a ruby red often filled with mischief and joy. She was a rather stubborn cub that demanded respect from whoever made contact with her. Mufasa had many friends, but his favourite cub to play with was Sarabi as she had the same curious and mischievous nature as he did. Often she led him into dangerous situations where they would escape by the skin of their teeth. She was also incredibly loyal to those that have earned it and was always there for Mufasa when he needed her. Something their parents were quick to notice. However, due to them both being incredibly stubborn with vicious tempers, the two often quarrelled. However, these arguments never lasted long and it was never long before they would make up.
Ahadi approached his son. "Where's mum?" He asked him.
"She's over there with the other lionesses," Mufasa gestured with his paw. "They all seemed really excited about something."
Ahadi smiled and ruffled the tuft on Mufasa's head. "Well, you be a good boy and stay out of trouble," he said. He then walked off into the direction where his mate was as Sarabi challenged Mufasa to another wrestle.
As dusk approached, Mufasa trudged up to the den exhausted from his day of chasing and wrestling. He entered the den and approached his parents who were lying on the raised platform reserved for the royal family.
"Come here, Mufasa," Uru smiled. "It's time for your bath."
"I don't want a bath," grumbled Mufasa. But he was too tired to argue as his mother scooped him up and placed him in her paws and proceeded to lick him.
After she was finished, she settled Mufasa down so that he was lying against her chest.
"Mufasa," she said. "Dad and I have something to tell you."
Mufasa looked up at his parents, his eyes wide with curiosity.
"How would you like to be a big brother?" Ahadi said.
"Umm..."
"Mummy is having a cub," Uru smiled. "You are going to have a little brother or sister."
"Is that a good thing?" Mufasa asked.
"Yes, it is," Ahadi laughed. "You will have another playmate! Won't that be awesome?"
"Yeah, I suppose," Mufasa considered this for a moment. "But can Sarabi still be my best friend?"
"Of course, darling," Uru replied. "Now why don't you go to sleep."
Mufasa cuddled against his mother's warm fur, his innocent mind turning over the idea of having a little sibling.
"Mum? Dad?"
"Mmm?"
"Where do cubs come from?"
Ahadi and Uru exchanged nervous glances. "How about we save this question for another time," Uru replied. "Good night, sweetie."
"G'night mum. G'night dad," Mufasa murmured sleepily as he settled his head down and soon was fast asleep.
The days past as the cub growing in Uru's belly grew bigger as she was nearing the end of her pregnancy.
One day, she was lying on the rocks outside of Priderock, the sun setting in the horizon, when her water broke and she was quickly helped into the den by the other lionesses.
Ahadi waited outside anxiously with Mufasa, who had no idea what was going on and was playing with his father's tail.
The sun soon disappeared, making way for the stars and moon. Nothing had changed within the large timespan, and Ahadi was beginning to worry. Mufasa, on the other hand, had long since fallen asleep, and Ahadi had him wrapped up in his paws to keep him warm from the chilly night air.
Eventually, a lioness stepped out of the den. Ahadi made to get up, but the lioness darted down the ramp and into the savanna. Ahadi lay back down, his heart pounding in his throat.
The lioness returned quickly followed by an old mandrill and they entered the den. Now, Ahadi knew something was wrong. The mandrill was the Royal Shaman by the name of Babu. The shaman was only present in births when there was something wrong with the delivery.
Ahadi pulled Mufasa closer to him. The next few moments were agony for the poor father, but eventually a lioness stepped out of the den.
Ahadi quickly got to his feet and looked questioningly at her.
"Uru is fine," she answered his unspoken question. "She had a bit of trouble with the delivery and will need to rest for a long time, but she'll be fine."
Ahadi breathed a sigh of relief for his mate. "And the cub?"
The lioness paused for a brief moment. "The cub is still alive," she said. "But Babu said that there is a possibility he won't live long."
Ahadi processed the news, his heart full of dismay. "Is it a male?" He asked. The lioness nodded.
"We're going to move Uru and the cub to one of the caves so that they shouldn't be disturbed," she informed him.
"I'll go in and help," Ahadi said. Then, he looked back at the sleeping Mufasa. "Can you please call Anika and tell her to look after Mufasa tonight."
The lioness nodded and Ahadi went inside the den. In their usual spot lay Uru, her head on the ground and her eyes droopy. Upon seeing Ahadi approaching, she tried to lift her head, but soon placed it back on the ground and gave him a weak smile.
Ahadi nuzzled her gently and licked her forehead. He then turned to Babu who was holding something in his arms. "Can I see my son?" Ahadi whispered. Babu moved closer to him and shifted his arms so that Ahadi could see a tiny newborn cub, unmoving in Babu's arms.
The cub was smaller than Mufasa had been and his fur was a dark reddish brown. Ahadi gave his son a lick like he had done with Mufasa when he was born, but, unlike Mufasa, the cub didn't react. Ahadi looked at him, sadly.
"Is there a chance he will live?" Ahadi asked hopefully.
"There is," sighed Babu. "But the circumstances are not in his favour."
Ahadi sighed and looked at Uru. Her eyes were closed and she was breathing heavily. Looking up, Ahadi saw another lioness standing not far off.
"Amahle, help me get Uru to the cave off the end of the ramp," he said. Amahle nodded and stood by Uru's right side. Together, they gently got her to her feet. Shaking, Uru leaned on Ahadi as the three walked outside. Babu followed with the cub in his arms.
So that's chapter one finished. I hope you like it. To be honest, I do sometimes see Mufasa and Taka as twins, but not in this story.
I've read many fanfictions and a lot of people see Ahadi as abusive to Taka, or ignoring him to focus on Mufasa. I, however, prefer to think of Taka being spoilt and always getting what he wants, due to him being the youngest and almost dying at birth. This caused him to believe that he deserves whatever he wants, including the throne.