Hey guys! Did'ja miss me? :3 I hope you're all doing well!
Sorry for the long wait to get this chapter up, it's been hard to find a moment to type out chapters when my hubby uses the laptop for classes or when we make trips to visit family and friends. I've also been job hunting and sending out resumes (which I managed to finally get an interview for one, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'm hired X3). Plus, there's getting ready for Easter to top it all off too X_X;
But enough excuses, before we continue, let me thank all my wonderful readers who left their kind reviews!
Jestalnaker94000: Thanks a bunch for that hun I'm glad you enjoyed it even though it was sad and Sarabi is gone T_T Yeah, I hope to expand Simba and Ryan's friendship in future chapters, I'll try my best to get to writing and posting soon!
Jason Chandler: Thank you so much! :D And I know what you mean, I'm so steamed that I let other people's poor comments keep me from seeing for so long! XP
Dave Bennett: It was rather bittersweet, while I'll miss having Sarabi in my story, I was glad to give her the peace I felt she deserved. And I was happy to finally have Simba and Ryan come together as friends now, too and I hope to dabble in it more once everyone makes it to the oasis. Lol, if they could convince Ryan into eating bugs, I bet that would make such a funny scene!XD.
*gasp* What?! XD XD Holy muffins I'm so honored to hear that I'm on your favorites list, you really are so sweet!
Guest: Well, that's a really sweet idea, but I don't know about that happening...at least not in this story.
Samguti729: Aww, I'm sorry I made you cry hun...actually no, that means I did good! XD Thank you so much for your review, I'm so glad you were able to enjoy the story! I hope to keep doing a good job :3
I-Love-Trunks1: Awww, thank you so, so, so much for your review, hun! It makes me happy to hear that you enjoyed the chapter even though it was so saaaad!*cries*
gwencarson126: Here you go, hun,*hands you a box of tissues* Lol, I know what you mean, she's actually one of my top three favorite Disney mothers now that I think about it...I wish she would have had a bigger role, but man, even as a secondary character she still had a big presence!
Thank you so much for that, I'm glad that I was able to do her character even a little bit of justice!*hugs*
Steelcode: I'm sorry that chapter was so sad! ;_; But thank you! I'm so happy that you enjoyed it!
Guest: Unfortunately hun, I'm not entirely sure, I still haven't decided if I'll have him be a part of the story.
Again you guys, thank you all so, so much! *hug*
Alrighty, now I'll let you guys get back to the real reason you came here X3 I hope you enjoy the chapter!
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Chapter 11: Home Away from Home
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Everyone was heartbroken to hear the news Ryan returned to Pride Rock to tell them, and there wasn't a single member that had a dry eye when they filed behind the young man as he led them back to their former queens final resting place; even as she shed more tears than he had ever seen just the day before, Nala was crying so much that Ryan had to carry Kiara in his arms.
In the very beginning, after meeting them, it was obvious that they were so very close to each other; how many laughs they've must have shared, how many trials they must have suffered together and come out stronger than before, they were mother and daughter in every way rather than just in law. Compared to the sorrow Ryan himself felt for Sarabi's death, he couldn't imagine the pain Nala must be going through.
And it was the same for Simba, as well as everyone else, who had known the kind old lionesses for most of their lives.
When they finally reached the flowered hill with the lonely tree where Ryan had left Simba with Sarabi, he noticed that Rafiki was already there with him. When he had arrived or how long he had been there, Ryan couldn't say, but he still felt glad to see him.
Simba hadn't moved from where Ryan had seen him when he left, seated directly next to his mother's body as his head stooped heavily over her back before the sounds of rusting grasses made him turn and look over at them before he met eyes with his queen.
They held each other's gazes for a few moments before Nala was the first to break it, bending her neck to pick two flowers from the ground between her teeth and walking over to Sarabis' still figure to place them atop her shoulder before she pressed her forehead against her predecessors. She stayed like that for a time until she finally pulled away and seated herself next to her mate where he caressed her muzzle with his own comfortingly.
It was shortly after that did the other lionesses began to walk past the raven-haired young man one by one, Timon and Pumbaa included, each of them carrying two to three of the yellow and orange flowers and laying them all over Sarabi's body before they sat and bowed their heads with solemn faces. And once every flower on the hill had been picked and the lionesses were still, Rafiki finally moved for the first time and looked over to Ryan before he beckoned him to join them.
The young man silently obeyed as he gently adjusted Kiara in his arms and eased himself down to sit on his knees, bowing his head as well as the blue faced simian stood and began to speak.
"In all my seasons, if I could name one who in life was proud, fierce...and yet still so full of kindness and warmth; Then I can think of no one better than our beloved Sarabi." Rafiki began, and though his voice remained strong and steady, Ryan could still hear sorrow within it. "Mate of Mufasa and former queen of the Pridelands, a patient mentor, a loving mother and dear friend to all who knew her; it is with heavy hearts that we all must say goodbye, as she has completed her journey through the great circle of life."
A sniffing sound suddenly caught Ryan's ears and he looked up to see that Zazu was sitting in the branches and watching as the blue feathered hornbill brush a tear away with his wing. His heart went out to the poor bird as he remembered how dearly the old lioness meant to him.
But his attention was brought back down as Rafiki suddenly began walk around Sarabis' body while he rattled his melon adorned stick above her. It wasn't until he came to a stop directly before her did he slowly place his staff down and gently rested a hand upon her head, bowing his own deeply as he closed his yellow eyes and mournful expression fell over his brightly colored face.
"Sarabi, you were our pillar of strength, our voice of reason, our beacon of unshakable faith in our most darkest times." the old baboon continued, his voice in a lower tone. "And though we are no longer able to walk the same path together, I know that you will continue to do that which you have always done in life...watch over us as you stand beside Mufasa, and all of the great kings and queens of the past."
Once he was done, Simba had stood up and walked over to his mother. He only looked down at her before he closed his eyes and bent his head, nuzzling his brow to hers while a couple of his own tears dripped down upon the bridge of her nose.
"...Goodbye, mother." he finally whispered before slowly pulled away. And after giving Sarabi one last sad, lounging gaze, he turned and began to lead the pride out of the Pridelands.
Even though he wished that he could have stayed longer, he knew that he needed to get his family to the oasis. His mother would have wanted him to get everyone there as soon as he was able rather than stay and grieve over her body. Especially when he had his queen, his daughter and his pride to take care of.
Ryan gave Kiara back to Nala as she followed after her mate with Timon, Pumbaa and Zazu right behind her, but he hung back for a moment; Watching as the other lionesses begin to file down the hill behind their king. Eventually though, he made himself stand to his feet with a heavy sigh and buckled the straps of his water pack around his chest and waist before he looked down to Rafiki, taking in his still form as sat back on his haunches and held his staff closely against him.
"Aren't you coming with us?" Ryan asked.
Rafiki looked up at him, holding his gaze for a short time before he smiled and shook his head.
"I am afraid that this is where we shall part ways, my young friend." the old baboon said. "At least for a time."
"I don't think that's such a good idea." the young man commented, feeling rather concerned after Rafiki's statement. "It's not safe for you to stay out here by yourself."
"You should not worry over this baboon, Ryan, old Rafiki knows where he needs to be." The shaman told him with a soft chuckle. "Your place is with Simba and the pride, while mine is here...bidding farewell to a friend that I shall dearly miss."
Ryan didn't want to just leave him on his own, but he also knew that it wouldn't any good to argue, either. Once Rafiki made a decision, he always stuck by it no matter what anyone would say. The young man managed a soft farewell to the wise baboon, but before he left, he noticed one small, lone daisy beside him with orange petals that had somehow been missed.
Looking back to Sarabi's motionless, blossom adorned figure, he picked it and gently placed it among the others were he sat still for just a few moments longer until finally forced himself to stand and turn away. Following after the pride before he too felt compelled to stay behind as well.
And for the longest time, no one spoke a word as they just felt the need to pass on through the quiet, seemingly abandoned Pridelands as fast as they were able. First an hour went by, then two hours...then Ryan just lost track all together as his sore feet and weary mind were made worse by the searing heat when he found that they were passing through a desert wasteland that seemed to go on for miles.
It was so hot, he had unbuckled his pack and taken off his hoodie in order to get some sort of relief from suffocating temperature.
Unfortunately, it didn't seem to make much of a difference as he still sweated like a fountain; more so especially when he had no choice but to leave the bottom parts of his pants legs zipped on and wear the hood on the top his head while letting the rest hang over his shoulders and back. It almost looked like he was wearing a cape which did nothing to keep him cool, but he still wore it that way to avoid getting burned by the unrelenting sun.
He'd take miserable and wet over miserable and crispy any day!
Every once in a while, they would stop if Kiara got too fussy at which they would also take a water break while Nala fed her; where Ryan had them all file in a line before he would take the hose of his water pack and help each of them with a drink before they would resume their trek across the barren land with Simba, Pumbaa and Timon were at the head of the pride, since they were the ones who knew were the oasis was.
Nala took up the rear alongside Ryan to make sure that everyone stayed together and wouldn't wander off or collapse because of the heat. But as Ryan took a closer look, she seemed to be the one closer to exhaustion then any of them were.
And proof of that was how hard it seemed to be for her to hold her head up. While Kiara was a little cub who barley weighed anything, her short tail was inches away from being dragged along cracked and dusty ground.
"Nala, why don't you let me carry her for a while?" Ryan asked as he placed a hand on her back to stop her before he knelt down on a knee. "I know your tired."
The teal eyes lioness looked up at him for a moment before she gave a nod and allowed the young man to take her daughter. Kiara mewed grumpily at the sudden change in position, but she soon settled back into a deep sleep.
"I'm sorry, Ryan." Nala apologized. "I don't think I've taken the time to properly rest; with everything that happened with Zira...and now with Sarabi-"
She let out a miserable sigh as she was unable to finish her sentence, her eyes closing as if she were trying to keep a fresh wave of tears from coming.
"It's okay, it's been a rough couple of days." Ryan assured as she really had no reason to explain herself.
But before he got back up to his feet so they could continue after the pride, he reached his free hand around behind him to feel around for the bag of jerky he still had. And taking care not to jostle Kiara around while she was cradled in his arm, he pulled it out from the side pocket of his water pack and tore the seal open with his teeth.
"Here, why don't you eat a little?" he suggested as he dug around in the bag and held out a generous handful of the dried meat to her. "It's about time you ate something anyway, and it'll help keep your strength up."
Nala looked like she was about to protest, but Ryan refused to hear of it as he held the jerky closer to her; After a few seconds, she sighed in defeat, giving him a small but grateful smile and accepting the small morsels. However, as she began to chew on it, Ryan had to fight to keep from laughing at the expression she had on her face.
It was obvious that she never had anything quite like jerky before.
"This meat is really dry." Nala finally commented when she got enough of it chewed up.
"Yeah, sorry about that." Ryan said with an apologetic grin as he reached around and stuffed the bag back where he got it. "But after your done you can wash it down with some water."
"So, the oasis we're going to, that's where Timon, Pumbaa and Simba used to live when he was little, right?" Ryan questioned. "They raised him there?"
"Yes, and I thank the great kings every day for leading them to Simba." Nala answered. "They didn't have to take him in, but I'm so glad that they did; otherwise, I doubt that Simba would be alive...and Scar would still be in power."
"What's the first thing you're gonna do once we get there?" He asked, trying to take the conversation back on a better topic. To which Nala gave an appreciative smile and decided to humor him.
"I usually hate getting wet," She began. "But as soon as we get there, I'm jumping in the first water hole I see and swimming in it!"
"Haha, well, that'll only make one of us." Ryan stated with a short laugh. "I don't know how to swim."
"Really?" the cream furred lioness began, tilting her head slightly to the side with a bit of surprise. "Why didn't you ever learn?"
"Ah, you don't wanna hear about that." Ryan said, but Nala just gave a shrug of her shoulders.
"It'll help pass the time and keep our minds focused on something else for a while." She said.
Ryan mulled it over as he looked around at their rather barren surroundings. Simba was still way up at the head of their little bandwagon with Timon and Pumbaa, Zazu was still up in the sky keeping an eye on them and the other lionesses seemed more inclined to make to that they kept putting one foot in front of the other rather than make conversation with anyone for the time being.
She did have a point...
"Well, alright then," He started "It's because I'm a city boy, so there was really no reason for me to learn how to swim."
"A...city boy?" Nala repeated, raising a brow at how strange the word felt on her tongue.
"Yeah, a bunch of people packed together on a spot of land and surrounded by convenience." He explained. "Don't have to worry about where to find a meal or entertainment if you live in one."
"You know, I don't think we've ever asked about where you're from..." the queen of the Pride Lands commented. "What's your home like?"
"Oh it's...different. Very different." He began. "Not at all like the Pridelands, or here for that matter."
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Nala questioned with a humorous smirk.
"Well, even though it can be pretty loud and crowded, I'd rather be there right now considering..." He confessed as he pointed up at the sun above them with an exasperated expression on his face. "Pizza, indoor plumbing, T.V. and an apartment with the air conditioning on full blast sounds amazing right now."
"Ha, I don't really know most of those things are..." Nala admitted, though her smile remained. "But from the way you talk about them, I think I'd rather be there too."
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The Next Day...
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It was now day two of their excursion through this flat, dry and sweltering wasteland and everyone was more than anxious get to the oasis so they wouldn't have to spend another cold and sleepless night huddled close together in order to keep warm or another day under the sun with all this blistering heat.
It had gotten to the point where it was hard even for Kiara to ignore as anyone who carried her tried their best to shield her from the burning light. But shade could only do so much when the air made it feel like they were walking through an oven.
And disparagingly, it didn't look like they were any closer to reaching the oasis as they were down to the last little bit of water Ryan carried in his pack. And without telling anyone, they young man made the choice to not take any more for himself and save the rest for any of his traveling companions who would need a drink more than he would.
Though after an hour, maybe two he didn't know, it wasn't long before he was unable to keep himself steady on his own feet.
He felt dizzy, he felt hot, and interestingly enough, even cold at some points. And as his breathing became more and more labored, he peered out over the horizon and squinted when he suddenly noticed something.
For the longest time, the only colors he ever saw in the span of two days were the shades of sandy yellow, beige, cream, and the endless blue of a cloudless sky. But across the distance, there was a new color of deep green that seemed to dance and wave in the distance from the heat that radiated around them.
He had no idea where green would come from, but eventually, a vague and lethargic thought came to him.
"Ha, so this is what a mirage is like. " He commented with a tired laugh. "They really do look real...weird."
"Mirage?" Nala repeated, but her voice sounded muffled over the strange buzzing he heard in his ears. "Ryan, are you alright?"
"I...I'm fine." he said, though he plopped down heavily on his haunches as he figured that he should probably sit down for a moment his head and entire body felt so heavy, just a few little minuets couldn't hurt...
SPLASH!
"Pff-bbt! Hey!" he cried out in annoyance as he raised his arms up in front of his face from the unexpected assault. Coughing and wiping water out of his eyes while his nose burned. "What's the big id-Mmph!"
His eyes crossed as he looked down over his nose to see Timon withdrawing his paw from his face, as he had promptly shoved something into his mouth before he could finish his sentence, and realized that it was a big, fat mango. Ever since he was a kid he had never cared much for mangoes because they were a bit too much like peaches, a fruit that for some odd reason, always made him gag if he even managed to catch a whiff of it.
But there he sat, his stomach clenching with hunger as his teeth broke the skin and allowed its sweet nectar to dribble over his tongue and down his parched and dry throat. He quickly held the mango in both hands and ripped into the tender flesh, though he may have been a bit too eager as juice went down the wrong tube and he began to cough.
"Hey, hey, take it easy!" Timon commented "Slow down before ya choke!"
"Yeah, we got plenty here, so take your time." Pumbaa added looking to his side as Ryan followed it to see that they had collected about five more for him while he had been out. As of now, Timon and Pumbaa were his best friends and mangoes would most definitely be his all-time favorite fruit in the world until he died!
"Welcome back to the living, young man." came the voice of Zazu before he felt the bird land on his shoulder. "You gave us quite the fright when you collapsed like that!"
"Well, I'm not dead yet, so that's a good thing, right?" Ryan said with a tired grin.
A sloshing sound to his right made him turn his gaze over to see Simba as he stepped out from a small pool of water, his mane and fur dripping. But to Ryan's uneasiness, the king wasn't wearing a smile on his face from seeing him alive and well.
"Ryan, why didn't you tell us that you weren't feeling well?" the lion asked. "Haven't you been drinking water?"
At that, Ryan quickly averted his gaze down to the ground and he reached over to pick another mango from the small pile Timon and Pumbaa had gotten him. But before he could take a bite out of it, he paused when Simba cleared his throat and he looked up to see that he was peering down at him with those suspicious amber eyes.
He wasn't going to let him avoid the question.
"Alright, fine, it's been...a while since I last had a drink." Ryan confessed with a sigh.
"And how long is 'a while'?" Simba pressed after noticing the pause Ryan made in his sentence.
"Um, a little after I poured the second bottle I had in the pack?" the young man meekly answered, earning a chorus of sharp gasps from the majordomo and the bug eating duo.
"What?!" Zazu stated in shock as he jumped down from Ryan's shoulder to the ground so he could look him in the eye. "Ryan, that was ages ago! You very well could have expired from dehydration!"
"I didn't know how much longer it would be before we got to the oasis and I just wanted to be sure that all of you guys had water if you needed it." Ryan told them.
"But it's all good, we obviously made it, right?" the raven haired teen added, holding up his mango and gesturing around to the small pool of water and the vibrant greenery. "And I'm totally fine now."
"Well I say ya need to be taught a lesson for doin' somethin' so stupid!" Timon stated, crossing his arms while Pumbaa gave a snort in agreement.
"Huh?" Ryan asked.
"I second that notion, sire!" Zazu said as he looked to Simba with a firm nod. "There is absolutely no excuse for such reckless actions, I'd say punishment in well in order!"
"Excuse me?" Ryan demanded, not sure if he had heard him right before a shadow cast over him and made the young man look up with wide hazel eyes to see Simba standing over him.
"Well Ryan, my duty as the king is to listen to the wishes of my subjects." Simba announced, a mischievous smirk slowly appearing on his muzzle. "Take your punishment with dignity."
Before Ryan could even think to try and scramble away, Simba pounced and flopped heavily on top of him. Ryan yelped out this hulk of lion knocked the air out of him, pinning him to the ground as his cloths immediately became drenched with the water that was in his golden pelt.
"Aww! Simba! You're sopping wet!" Ryan cried out as he tried to push him off, but he was just too heavy for him, so he tried another complaint. "You're gonna make me squish my mangoes!"
Simba only laughed and laid his chin atop Ryans' forehead, and after listening to his muffled protest and spits as strands of his wet mane managed to get in his mouth. When he finally decided that he had been 'punished' for long enough. When he got up to let him breath again, and Ryan sat up and began wiping off the excess water from his face and hair before fixing every one of them with a hazel glare.
"That wasn't funny." he said, obviously miffed.
"It was kind of funny." Simba shrugged with a humorous grin. "Come on now, Nala and the other lionesses are waiting for us further in the jungle."
Still grumbling, Ryan gathered up his fruit and got to his feet to follow them. Even though he didn't appreciate getting soaked, he couldn't deny that he enjoyed how much cooler he felt then when they were out in that desert.
And it was also nice to see so much green as well until Timon and Pumbaa, who were at the head of their little troupe, came to a stop.
"Welcome to our home away from home, kid." the meerkat announced as he and his tusked pal pulled back the curtain of lush green vines and leaves to reveal the most beautiful sight Ryan had ever seen in his life...
Towering mountains and hills covered in lush trees that were filled with coconuts, mangoes and other tasty looking fruits, beautiful water falls that created a cool mist through the air as the fell in the bluest, most refreshing water that was right before him. And in the sparkling crystal pool, along with a few other of her pride sisters while the others rested in the shade near the bank with Kiara, was Nala as she paddled around far out in the middle of the cool waters
"I told you I was swimming!" She called out from the water when she noticed that he was there.
"Yes you sure did!" He called back with a laugh before he took a seat on the grassy ground in the shade of tree and bite into another one of his mangoes. Just watching as everyone enjoyed their temporary residency in this gorgeousness jungle oasis for a few moments before he kicked back, relaxing and enjoying the pleasant breeze full of tropical scents as they were all finally safe and sound.
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Woo-hoo! Everyone's safe and sound at the oasis!* happy dance*
Alrighty, now I gotta tell you guys that I'm actually all caught up with what I had written down in my notebook. I have some notes written down for future chapters but I already kept the journey to the oasis in this one chapter, so while I was reading through them, I kinda felt that if I started making full chapters from them now, then the story would go by a little too fast. So I thought it might be good to turn to my lovely readers for a bit of help in adding a little more fun to the story :3
Do you guys have suggestions about any activities Ryan, Simba, Timon and Pumbaa and the pride could have together? Fun activities, embarrassing mishaps, Ryan teaching the animals human games(minus deep water games as our poor boy doesn't know how to swim XD) or more about humans in general? You're more than welcome to suggest anything.
Though while I say that, please keep in mind that I might not be able to find a place for every suggestion; Especially suggestions for Kion or characters from 'The Lion Guard' to make an appearance. Again, as much as I love him and the guard, I still haven't decided whether or not to add him in the story.
Thanks for reading guy, I hope you all have a very happy Easter! *hugs*
