Hello everyone, welcome back to Chapter 3. Hope you all are doing well. Apologies for the slight mishap with the alignment issues in the last chapter. I hope they are all fixed now. I just want to say thank you to you guys, whenever it is leaving reviews or just by checking out my work. It makes me over the moon knowing there are people out there who love and enjoy reading this story. It drives me to make this tale the best it can be. With that out of the way let's begin Chapter 3!
Chapter 3: An Unknown Path
"Kovu… Where did you find this human child? What happened out there?"
Kiara had asked her mate, gazing at the young frail human being clutched and cradled by Kovu's front paws. She noticed how the child had become calm and relaxed as Kovu brought him into his fur, which only led to her mind creating more questions.
Kovu's eyes were still away from Kiara's gaze, unsure of what to say. He wanted to tell her what happened. The urge to explain what had befell this poor child he was now looking after. But what would she say? She may tell Simba. But then what would happen to him and the child? Would he have to leave him abandoned? Be exiled? The thought made him shiver.
With a deep sigh, Kovu's green orbs finally met his mate's reddish browns and began to tell his story. How he came across the village in that destroyed state, the hushed sobbing and whimpering. Explaining how the lion found Matthew all weak and frail in that hut. Finding him temporary shelter in the cave they now dwelled in and finding him food.
As Kovu explained what happened in the last few hours, Kiara had settled down next to her mate and listened intensely. She couldn't help but smile at how her mate had helped the child out of that crumbling hut. But when she heard the boy's parents were nowhere to be found, only shocked horror fell on her face. She couldn't help but feel sorry for this cub. To her it seemed to look and act like a young cub anyway. She noted how this poor innocent child had already grown attached to her mate as she saw the boy curl up into a tight ball in his front paws, nuzzling away into Kovu's fur.
"That is why I was gone for so long, Kiara. I couldn't leave him. Without his parents, he can't survive out here. He needs someone to look after him. I took him to see Rafiki. He said that we and the pride were important in this child's future. I don't know what that means yet but.. Maybe Simba and the others could.."
The brown-furred lion was interrupted by a gentle paw on his muzzle, silenced by Kiara's gentle humming. "So you want to ask my father if he will allow this cub to stay in our pride until he can be reunited with his parents?"
Kovu nodded. "I want to.. Despite the doubts. It is the only chance he has. I can't just hide him in this den. It will be too dangerous, and your father will get suspicious." The male lion sighed sadly as he looked down to see Matthew looking up with worried eyes, a gentle paw cradling his head. "Simba has taught me that every life is sacred and everyone deserves a chance. He did give me one after all. And if we don't help this child, then how much value would those meanings hold?" Kovu somberly held Matthew close as the boy gently whimpered, those small hands clinging to his brown fur tighter.
"Kovu… My father may not see this child the same you do. Do you remember those stories and legends of man? Beings with sticks that call upon thunder and death, bringing devastation. Those tales have made us all weary and fearful of any man, especially my father." Kiara lamented. "He may see him as a threat."
"I… I know but…" Kovu tried to hold back tears now, clutching the boy even tighter. "T… Then what do we do…? He's just a cub, Kiara. H… He's not a lion hunter. I know he's not. He has no one left. He has no parents. I can't just abandon him. I won't..." Kovu's paw gently held the back of the child's head, rubbing the brown hair gently which made the boy giggle a little. A sombre smile was sketched on Kovu's face trying to hide the fear of what Simba might say.
Kiara watched the scene play out, how Kovu brought this child close and how the child reacted. It was so gentle. So tender. Just like her and Simba when she was a cub. She even caught the familiar fatherly glow in her mate's eyes that Simba had. It was then clear to her that Kovu's mind was made up. He wouldn't abandon this child. She bit her bottom lip, unsure of what side to take. Her mate's.. Or her father's.. She wished she wouldn't have to make that choice. "You won't change your mind, will you?"
Kovu shook his head. "No I won't. I understand that man are dangerous. I know the threat they oppose to the Pride Lands but I will not let my fear cloud my judgement." Kovu smiled a little as he nudged the human gently in his paws so his mate could see him better. "Look at him Kiara. He's not a threat. What differences do you see?"
Kiara gasped, instantly recalling those same words she conversed to Simba on that night when Zira and her outlanders tried to reclaim Pride Rock. She gazed down at Matthew, who only looked up at her with quivering eyes. They were full of uncertainty and fear. She wanted to help the child, deep down she knew it was the right thing to do. But the potential discourse and panic of knowing man was in the Pride Lands would be massive.
Her inner thoughts broke off when she heard her father call out from somewhere above with that stern yet gentle voice. "Kiara? Have you found Kovu yet?" Kiara looked at Kovu with worry, who returned the gaze likewise, also unsure of how to react. "I've found him. He's just on his way back now."
"Alright. Can you please ask him to see me as soon as possible? I have some questions for him?"
"Yes father." Kiara added, and waited to see if her father would respond further. But once the area was silent she took a deep breath of relief. "That was close."
Kovu could only nod, the worry of what to do with Matthew in this situation. He couldn't take Matthew with him. Simba couldn't know about him as of yet, it was too risky. But leaving him on his own was also a big gamble. What if something snuck in, having smelt him as a tasty meal, and finished him off? His brown fur shuddered as it stood up in fear, shaking his head to try and escape that frightening thought. But what if there was a third option?
"Kiara? I know this is big. But can you please watch Matthew for me while I talk to Simba?" Kovu pleaded, his green orbs shaking a little, slowly nudging the child in his paws towards his mate.
Kiara was stunned, not expecting this sudden curve ball from her mate. Would this really work? Wouldn't her father find it suspicious that after Kovu's odd late return she too was strangely absent? The king was smarter than that. But thinking about the child's safety, this was their only option, and as such slowly opened her paws to accept the child. "Of course."
Matthew, on the other hand, was not ready to be accepted by this strange lioness, clinging tightly to his protector's fur. "N… No…" He whimpered, closing his eyes tightly, hiding his face in Kovu's fur. "P… Please don't go… I… I don't trust her…" The child added, trying to hide fully in the safety of Kovu's fur. "S… She might eat me… O… Or…"
Kovu hushed the child, gently caressing the back of his head. Once again Kovu's smooth melodic tones calmed the child back down, planting a soft lick to Matthew's forehead once the whimpers stopped. "Matthew… I won't be gone long…" Kovu cooed. "I'm just going to talk to the king for a few moments. Then I'll be right back. I just want to explain some things to him. Don't worry, Kiara will keep you safe. I can guarantee it."
The boy relaxed as he leaned into the paw, nuzzling away for a brief moment as he tried to hide once more into Kovu's fur. He frowned as a paw slid him back into view between the two lions. Those hazel eyes gazed at Kiara with worry, grasping Kovu's paw softy for comfort. "O… Okay…"
Kovu smiled and softly licked and nuzzled Matthew's face, purring gently with a paw pressed on the boy's back. "Good cub. I'll be back soon." He nuzzled Kiara and gave her a soft lick too before leaving the cave to see Simba, allowing the newly risen moon to light his fur.
The child watched Kovu go, reaching out with a silent hand. With each step the lion took, the more dread filled Matthew's tiny heart. With each step the more he wished he could get Kovu to stay. Now alone with Kiara, the child was more uneasy than ever before. He hugged his legs and his body froze up.
Kiara smiled and returned Kovu's loving gesture with her own, a gentle nuzzle watching her mate go. Then she turned her gaze to the small human child in front of her, now able to see him in more detail. She noted the scars covering his body. Poor thing must have gotten into a few scrapes here and there before Kovu found him. She reached out with a paw when the child curled up in response. He must still be scared. No wonder… She wasn't talking about his species too kindly earlier. Especially after hearing of his parents' disappearance.
"I'm sorry, little one. I'm sorry about what happened to you. But I am not a threat to you. Just like my mate Kovu I want to help you find your parents. I understand you are scared of me but I will not harm you."
Matthew tightened up a little as Kiara tried to reason, her words just as soothing as Kovu's, she sounded like her mother. Kind and gentle. Loving and wise. It was like his mother was speaking to him through this lion. But that would be ridiculous. The child felt his body loosening up a little as he gazed at Kiara a little. He did nothing. Just watching her to see what she would do next.
Kiara was lowered down to the child's eye level, wanting to appear as least threatening as she could. She slowly reached out a paw towards the child. "It'll be alright. Nothing will hurt you. I promise you." The paw very softly landed on Matthew's head and began to rub, trying to replicate what her mate had done. "Everything will be okay."
Matthew froze back up tighter, unnerved by the moving paw towards him. What would happen once that paw reached him? Should he move further away to safety or stay still? Paralysed by the approaching fear, his eyes clamped shut, awaiting the end. But nothing happened. He felt something rub his head in a slow and calming circular pattern. He opened his eyes to see Kiara softly rubbing his head.
He stayed in silence as he watched Kiara rub his head. He felt the paw grace through his locks, slowly and carefully. Matthew had the urge to move away but it felt nice. It slowly reminded him of happier times. With his mother. The child smiled softly, his arms hugging his chest as he leaned slowly outward towards Kiara, edging in a little closer into the paw. Maybe he could trust her after all?
The creamy lioness began to hum, a soft tone of purrs and rumbles as she continued to rub, wanting the child to be as calm as possible. She beamed once the child began to move in slightly closer. Kiara saw the child smile and his body relax, to the touch, making her continue still at that calm pace. Baby steps she thought. It was a good start.
Meanwhile Kovu was just beginning his conversation with Simba on top of Pride Rock, both lions looking over the vast view reaching out. Simba's scarlet mane and golden fur blew in the wind, radiating a presence of power and authority. Kovu couldn't look Simba in the eyes, his green orbs gazing elsewhere, worried about the eventual day where he would ask him for help.
"What happened out there, Kovu? We were all so worried when there had been no sign of you for hours. I was about to send out a search party." Simba commented calmly, the fear and worry clearly visible on his face. "We all thought whatever was doing that screaming had claimed you."
"Simba…" Kovu replied, taking a deep breath. "I am so sorry for being gone for so long. I found something in that forest. Something mysterious had happened. Something dangerous." The brown lion's tone shifted suddenly and became more stern, which Simba caught onto.
"Something dangerous?" Simba questioned, noting Kovu towards the stairs reaching down towards the grassland. "Come with me. We should discuss this more privately. I don't want the others to hear us to risk causing panic." Simba's tone had also grown more serious. If there was a threat to Pride Rock and the creatures that lived in and around it, then it must be dealt with.
Kovu nodded and let Simba lead the way down the stony steps and towards the watering hole, feeling the cooler air of the African night brush flow through their fur and onto their faces. Once they were far enough away from any prying ears, Kovu began. "I was exploring the forest where the screaming was heard from. It was pretty nerve wracking. But then I saw dried blood on the ground. Must have been there for a while. Had barely any scent left."
Simba was creeped out immediately by this. Dried blood? That wasn't a good sign. "Did you find out what animal the blood belonged to?" The king asked with a stoic face. "That could help us find out what could have done the attacks. Or what suffered said attack. Please leave out no details."
Kovu took a worried breath, unnerved about Matthew back in that cave with Kiara. He attempted to think of a way to give Simba all the details without worry of giving away Matthew. "It was the blood of man. The blood led to an abandoned village. It was destroyed with dried blood all over. It looked like a massacre with scratch marks on the ground and on their huts. Man was not the attacker here. Could there be something more dangerous than man out there?
Simba was deeply troubled about this new information. The fact there was a man tribe seemingly so close to Pride Rock all this time was strongly concerning. What if there were any other running man villages close by? "Man!? A man village was this close by? Oh no oh no. This is not good. This is not good at all." Simba repeated to himself like a mantra, walking back and forth. "If there were man this close to the pride, imagine the destruction that they could cause if there were more villages this close by. The potential danger that would occur would be huge."
Kovu quickly got in Simba's way, for he knew why the king was so worried, but he knew the bigger picture. "Simba. Listen to me. If we only just found out about this human village then that must mean they weren't a threat. If they were, we would have seen them before." Kovu added, the brown lion pleading for the king to see the true threat here.
"We should be worried about whatever destroyed that village that we know exists. Not the potential of more man villages. If that thing, whatever it was, could destroy one village to ruins, who knows what kind of destruction it is really capable of? That is the main threat here."
Simba closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself. Kovu was right. He was too short-sighted on the potential of man being the threat, when there was clearly a much bigger enemy at work here. If something could so easily tear through a man village then they would be easy pickings in comparison. "My apologies Kovu for that outburst. I understand more clearly now. Thank you for informing me of this. We should head back to Pride Rock and discuss this more in the morning. This is something we cannot leave to rest."
The brown furred lion nodded and began to slowly follow Simba back to Pride Rock, the light of the moon leading the way. "It is alright Simba. I understand your worry and concern for the pride's safety. I hope we can deal with this threat before any more destruction happens." Kovu was worried about the safety of his family, as well as Matthew, which included the child's missing parents. If they were still alive of course. He had to find them and reunite them quickly. And then get them all to safety.
The two lions had returned to the base of Pride Rock and the land was quiet as the stars twinkled above. Simba looked up. "I hope the Great Kings of the Past will watch over us in this troubling time." He sounded sombre. The pride had just gotten over Zira's onslaught and now this? There was more danger? Would they ever be safe?
Kovu noticed this and smiled softly, gazing upward with the king. "I know they will. We will get through this. We will defeat whatever is coming. The Great Kings will guide us surely." Kovu added, providing his own guidance.
Simba breathed through his nose loudly with a soft sigh. "Perhaps you are right, Kovu. But like I said, let us discuss this tomorrow. We can inform the others then too. Again thank you for informing me." The king climbed the steps gently, not to wake the others who would be sleeping in the den at this time.
As he watched Simba climb, Kovu looked towards the direction of the den where Kiara was watching Matthew, knowing he should return shortly. "If I may, Simba. I would like to spend some more time outside. I need some fresh air to clear my mind over what I saw. The sight of all that blood and destruction has made me feel… Uneased."
Simba stopped on the top step and looked back at Kovu, worried about his friend. He nodded in respect, wishing he would be okay. "Alright Kovu. If you ever need to talk about it, you may see me. My ears are always open."
Kovu nodded and lowered his head in a bow. "Thank you, Simba. You are too kind." Simba nodded in response, to join the pride in slumber. Turning away, Kovu walked sneakily towards the den at the base of the mountain. Where Kiara would be with Matthew. He hoped they were still there. To his relief they were. Matthew was curled up, the boy's head rested on Kiara's side. He looked so peaceful. Kiara was awake watching him. Her eyes were full of motherly care. Could she be? No.. Of course not.
While Kovu was gone, Kiara had watched Matthew. The two didn't converse much, due to the child's fears but they were slowly making progress. The head rubbing helped with that. She guessed that the boy loved the kind motion, remembering how she saw mothers of the pride doing the same with their cubs. She made a mental note to where Kovu ever needed her to watch the child again, she could perform the action to keep him calm.
"Do you like that, little one?" She asked softly.
Matthew nodded, pressing his hair more into the paw, smiling softly. He loved whenever Kovu did this with him. He was still unsure of whenever he could trust Kiara but she seemed to be kind and gentle, like Kovu was. And the brown lion did say he could trust her. He was willing to give her a chance, the child thought to himself. Perhaps Kiara could also help him find his parents? Thinking over in his head, what that old monkey said about the pride being important in his future made slightly more sense.
He tried to keep onto those thoughts, having come to something. But the serene voice of the lioness watching over him and those gentle strokes of her paw repeatedly broke his concentration. He was reminded of a simpler time where his mother would do the same to him. It gave the child new found hope to keep fighting. To keep searching for a way back to his parents. "Y… Yes thank you…"
Kiara's heart couldn't help but shiver at the soft and timid voice coming from the child. After spending a few hours softly caressing the child's head, she mentally cursed herself from mistaking this child for a threat. "I am glad, Matthew." She giggled and resumed the motion, humming softly. Strangely, she began to feel this motherly feeling wash over her. She remembered speaking to Kovu a few times about the possibility of having cubs of their own. But eventually decided against it, having come to an agreement that they were not ready.
She looked down at the child, was he the cause of these instincts? Was this young boy the reason these instincts and thoughts began to grow and blossom inside her head? She wondered if Kovu was thinking the same but from a paternal side of view. She shook her head and mentally giggled at the idea. Absolutely posterous, she thought. Lions raising a man cub? Would that even be possible? Then she remembered watching Kovu calm him earlier. How gentle and fatherly he was. W… Was it truly impossible?
The child's stomach suddenly rumbled, breaking the silence. He grabbed one of the remaining fruits and began to eat. The soft flesh was ripped into as Matthew began to devour the sweet insides. With the dozen large fruits Rafiki left him with, only about three or four remained. The boy only managed to eat two of the large mango-like fruit before feeling full, yawning.
Upon hearing the child yawn, Kiara instinctively knew what to do. "Are you tired, little one?" Seeing him nod she very gently pulled the child close to her side with a paw, allowing him to use her soft fur to sleep on. She needed to be careful to not startle the child. "Are you comfortable?"
Matthew nodded, immediately snuggling into her soft body, his small hands clinging away. The child didn't speak, worried about where Kovu was. He said he would be back soon and the sky had turned to darkness as night drew in. He was in the den with a lioness he had only met hours prior. He didn't feel safe anymore. The darkness brought only his fears to the surface. "W… Where's Kovu…?" He could only mutter. "Want Kovu…"
Kiara curled around the child as she heard tiny mumbles and whimpers, soft hushes leaving her muzzle. "Shssh… It'll be okay… He's coming. Don't you worry, little one… You go and sleep. I'll be right here." She returned her paw to the child's head and began to stroke, hoping to ease the child's anxiety. The child's eyes were closed shut and his body was quivering. He was scared. With the stroking she began to hum, replacing the eerie silence with soft musical tones.
This helped the child a little, the whimpers dying down slowly as the scary silence was broken. The reassurance his guardian was coming helped him too. He knew Kovu wouldn't leave him. After all, he promised the little child. Gently nuzzling into the paw, the soft and warm fur followed by the humming eventually lulled the child into slumber.
Soft and hushed breathing was soon audible as Kiara slowly died down the humming, the paw still stroking however. She smiled as she watched him sleep. He looked so peaceful. She curled around him tighter, instincts telling her to keep the boy safe. Bringing her muzzle gently down, she brushed her cheek across the child's, leaving a small lick behind. Her motherly instincts were in full effect at this point, and she was unable to hold them back.
"I'm back Kiara. How was he?"
She beamed when Kovu walked in, loosening up her form to show the sleeping child in her fur. "He was great. It was a bit rocky at first but I think he has opened up to me, albeit only a little. He liked me stroking his head and my humming." She giggled, whispering to not wake the child.
Kovu nuzzled Matthew's cheek softly, licking paternaly. He chuckled as he saw the child smile a little as he rustled to get comfy. "He must be missing his mother a lot. Poor thing.. I guess being out there for so long affected him more than just physically."
Kiara sensed the sadness her mate exuded, nuzzling him softly while releasing soft rumbling purrs. "Don't worry Kovu. We will find his parents. We must be strong. For his sake." She stroked the boy's head softly, slowly back and forth across the child's brown locks. "My father must be wondering where I am. I should return to the den. Thank you for letting me watch him. I can always watch him for you in the future."
Kovu chuckled, opening his front paws as Kiara gently placed the child into them. He instinctively brought the child close, chuckling as he watched Matthew snuggle close, burying his head into the soft, warm, and snuggly fur. "Thank you Kiara. For everything you have done today. You saved me.. No. You saved us today."
Kiara giggled and gave his mate and the child one soft lick before walking out, but before she fully left Kovu's sight, she let her own mind speak. "You're welcome, Kovu. While you were gone he spoke quite highly of you. The child adores you." Before he could respond, Kiara had walked out.
Kovu was in shock, mouth agape and his cheeks glowing. He looked down at the child half nestled in his fur, still sleeping away. 'He adores me..?' Those words bounced around in his head, only making the blushing stronger. The lion curled around the child, his head close to Matthew's, those green eyes glowing lovingly as a warm fatherly smile grew from his lips. He filled the child's ears with those gentle, deep, and melodic tones the child grew to love. The silent den was filled with those hums, a lion and the human child he swore to protect and to reunite with his parents, now in sleep's embrace.
Kiara settled into the den, close to her parents. As she awaited for sleep to claim her, she heard her father's voice softly in her ear. "Where have you been, Kiara? I thought you were already asleep."
"I was with Kovu. I saw him outside and I realised something wasn't right. I offered to talk about it with him. Don't worry I won't tell the others." She drowsily explained, her eyes meeting her father's before her eyes closed, fully embraced by sleep.
Simba nodded before quickly falling into slumber, with the rest of his pride. The area was quiet. Only the sound of the trees blowing in the trees filled the air. Deep in the forest where the destroyed human village was, shadows were moving swiftly throughout the trees. Their glowing red eyes sent any unlucky animal to see them scurrying into the night. The unknown group entered the Outlands, now fully deserted now the Outlanders had been disbanded.
Deep in this valley of death and despair, a cave lies in wait. Deep chuckling could be heard from within. A grumble shook the tiny rocks as this group of six reached the entrance. The biggest figure bowed at its entrance and spoke.
"Master. We have returned. The man village has been completely destroyed as per your request. Those unfortunate enough to stand in our way have been vanquished." The voice of the biggest member of this group was dark and rough, sounding hoarse and menacing.
"Good… Excellent work… Has all man been dealt with?" The hidden voice boomed from the cave, demanding to know that their mission was a complete success. No survivors. The group looked at each other saying nothing. This only angered the voice. "I will take that as a no. I said no survivors. We don't want to risk the king of Pride Rock or any of his lackeys getting involved. We must wipe every man from this area. We must wipe the area clean, their kind is not welcome here."
"Most of man from the village have been vanquished, your highness. However a few did escape, yes. But I doubt they will turn to the King of Pride Rock for assistance. After all, man are afraid of lions. They will not be a threat to us. However, a male and female did stand in our way. They must have been protecting something inside that strange rock they were blocking. Perhaps protecting an offspring perhaps. The female was sounding concerned when we approached."
"Hmmm.." The voice chuckled. "This is interesting news, Mfalme. Did you and your team finish them off? You and your group are to go and investigate the village once more. Find out what they were guarding. If it is a member of man, kill it on sight and bring me proof. Do not let me down again! Or else!"
"It was hard to tell, your highness. The rain and the storm made it hard to pinpoint their location but they were injured. But the smell of blood made it clear. They should be dead by now." The one known as Mfalme bowed in respect, clouds parting allowed the moonlight to reveal an old scuffled muzzle with a deep scar crossing over his lips.
His red eyes were burning with hatred and malicious intent. His dirty blond fur rustled in the dirty air. "Yes of course, your highness. I will see it done." He looked over his pack, nodding back towards the forest. "Let us go."
The other figures nodded and followed their leader, eager to once again feel their teeth taste fresh flesh. Deep glowing blue eyes shone from the cave as he watched the pack leave, a rough chuckle rumbling from his throat. "Yes…~ Good…~ Everything is coming to plan~ Everything has been set into motion~"
And that is Chapter 3, I hope you all have enjoyed it. Apologies for the long wait. Real life had gotten in the way a bunch but I won't bore any of you about the details. Although things are getting interesting, haven't they? What are these strange figures up to? If you have any reviews of the story so far, please make sure to write them in. I love reading reviews. It pushes me to get even better. But please remember to be nice. Thank you very much for reading and I will see you all in Chapter 4. Bye bye!
Mfalme = King