Chapter 13: Departure at Dawn

Niru awoke to the sound of beating drums as the ground vibrated. His eyes shot open, as he panted with fright, and remembered the departure day. He looked around the cave and saw no one was inside except for Nala. She was sitting at the entrance of the cave, watching the others outside, as Simba was about to give a "farewell" speech. The lionesses that were going on the journey were lining up in one big, long line, facing the direction of the jungle. Simba stood in front of them. Below Pride Rock, all the inhabitants of the Pridelands watched solemnly below as the elephants stomped a serious, dramatic war rhythm.

Niru sprang up and ran towards the entrance/exit of the cave, where Nala was standing. Determined to be a part of the event that was taking place outside the cave, he focused his attention ahead, but was stopped abruptly by a sharp whisper from Nala and her large, strong paw.

"Niru!" she said in a sharp whisper and grabbed hold of her grandson with her paw.

Again Niru was lifted up, which he normally hated, and began to panic that he wouldn't get to say goodbye to his mom, but gasped and widened his eyes as he tried to seize the moment he was in now. He got the next best thing to a bird's eye view as he saw the powerful, astounding sight of the Pridelanders lined up, bodies tense like soldiers, with his mother standing first in line. Even though he was too far back to see the animals, he could feel the waves of their music in the air. This was the first time Niru had seen a ceremony like this before, except when he was an infant, which he didn't remember. However, his birth ceremony was a happy one, and this one was a serious matter. Yes, there was angst involved because of the kidnapping of their new king, and the fact of the able-bodied Pridelanders going off and not knowing what challenges lay ahead and when they would return, and of course, the casualties that were to come. Hopefully none, the animals prayed. But hope and faith were all they had, and they could hold onto it, if they chose to for as long as the journey lasted.

"Niru!" Siva and Suvo whispered relieved as Niru was set back onto the ground.

Niru hadn't noticed that his two best friends were sitting to the side of Nala that he couldn't see from when he got up in the cave. The two cubs nuzzled their best friend.

"Siva, Suvo! What's going on?" Niru asked, anxious to know about what he was witnessing.

"It's a departing ceremony. All the animals have come to support the lionesses setting out on the journey and to bid them good luck. Also, your grandpa Simba will temporarily regain control of the Pridelands, as well as myself. We're waiting for Rafiki and Reekyo to arrive to perform the ceremony," Nala explained to Niru.

"Yeah," Suvo nodded.

"Look Niru! Your mom and our mom are first and second leaders of the pride," Siva said excitedly.

"Whoa," Niru breathed as he stared amazed at the sight before him.

"Shh, here comes Rafiki and Reekyo," Nala whispered to the cubs, getting up. "I have to go down there now, so you three stay up here where you are, and watch the ceremony," Nala instructed them.

The three of them nodded obediently, as butterflies fluttered in their stomachs.

Nala hurried quietly up the pinnacle where the lionesses were lined up sideways (obviously of course they all couldn't fit on the tip) and took her place next to Simba just in time to greet Rafiki and Reekyo.

Simba gave them both the "traditional hug", but it was shorter and not really much of a hug. It was just a quick, precise motion, only done in cases such as this.

After the "hugs", Rafiki chanted something in Swahili and asked the great kings to watch over and protect the pride, as did Reekyo.

The cubs, still watching from outside the entrance of the cave, were mesmerized by ceremony, since it was probably the most exciting thing they had ever seen in their short lives so far. They stared intensively, forgetting that their mothers were leaving, as the whole thing began to excite them, as their hearts were now more than ever yearning for something to be happy about. However, only for the time that Rafiki and Reekyo were chanting did the whole thing seem exciting to them. Then, when Rafiki and Reekyo finished with a forte on the closing word, they were awoken to reality again.

Then, Reekyo cracked open a gourd for Rafiki with dark red, almost purple liquid in it. Rafiki then rubbed two streaks on the cheekbones of the first lioness at the end of the line. Then Reekyo picked up an old, dusty gourd shell filled with golden powder.

"Dis juice is used as blood, may it bestow courage upon you and strength. Dis desert sand powder will keep de blood in you when it is shed, so you will never forget who you are."

Rafiki repeated this blessing to each lioness as he worked his way up to the front, Reekyo following with the gourd of sand. He said the name of each lioness at the end of the blessing.

Suvo and Siva stood up, muscles tensed, as Rafiki approached their mother.

Rafiki repeated the blessing, and quietly at the end said, "Be strong, Vitani, for yourself and your queen." He nodded gently and Reekyo smiled reassuringly at Vitani, as Rafiki went on to Kiara, in which it was Niru's turn to stand up, and watch intensively.

He paused before Her Majesty, and said the blessing, but smiled upon saying "Never forget who you are."

Kiara's brave, determined look on her face made Rafiki's own face light up, and Reekyo smiled admiringly at her queen.

Then Rafiki moved on to the final part: reassigning the duties of King and Queen temporarily back over to Simba and Nala. After a quick, concise oath and blessing, Simba and Nala roared to the animals to renounce themselves. The animals replied with a thunderous simultaneously noise of all the voices combined into one.

The cubs covered their ears for that moment, and began to get bored with the ceremony. They began thinking about resting, as their eyelids lowered to half-mast.

Then Rafiki nodded as the drums began again from the stomping of the elephants marching in place.

The three cubs lifted their heads up immediately and directed them towards the Pridelanders.

Starting with Kiara, she walked proud and strong down Pride Rock out towards the jungle. Then Vitani followed and the rest of the line began moving.

"Where are they going?" Niru whispered frantically to Suvo.

"Don't worry, I think they're coming back around Pride Rock to say 'goodbye' to us," Suvo reassured Niru and his sister.

The trio turned their attention back to the lionesses walking in the direction of the jungle. The last lioness had just stepped off Pride Rock and was now following in her position beside the other lionesses. The elephants trumpeted a salute to the lionesses as they continued walking farther away from Pride Rock.

The cubs' smiles faded as they realized that this was the "goodbye."

Niru's heart pounded with fear and disappointment, and a look of anxiety spread across all the cubs' faces.

"Suvo, they're not coming back," Niru said worriedly.

"I-I didn't know the ceremony was the 'goodbye'," Suvo said dumbfounded.

"Me either," Siva said quietly, and closed her eyes to stop her tears from escaping.

The cubs then quickly looked back as the pride got smaller and smaller, moving away from their eyes. All the cubs could think of to do was to lock their gaze onto what they could see of their pride, in hopes of "holding on" to their mothers so they would turn around suddenly and come back to say "goodbye."

But they didn't. The pride was now a thin, black horizontal line that, if it weren't still moving, could be mistaken for a landform. But no, it continued to get thinner and flatter until it had disappeared.

Then the animals turned away from the sight and walked back to the places in the Pridelands in which they called "home."

Crying-once again the painful, gut wrenching emotion began to take over Niru's body.

"Mother."

Siva and Suvo had their heads hung together against one another for a moment of peace and consolation.

Niru looked at them and thought of his mother and father together, nuzzling. Then he remembered how Kiara told him how she ran away to find Kovu again, and they were "one" again.

Not knowing what else to do, he ran from where he was sitting, in hopes of catching up to his mother.

He had just gotten off the foot of Pride Rock when he was picked up by familiar hands, and continued running in mid-air.

"Prince Niru what has gotten into you?" Reekyo asked, holding him in her arms like a baby baboon. "Come on, Rafiki wants to see you, and Siva and Suvo," Reekyo said as she began walking back up Pride Rock to the cave.

Niru sighed and looked over his shoulder, wondering where his father was now.

In the jungle:

Kovu had awoken two days ago to the entrancing sweet smell of a field of flowers. He got up, feeling brand new and weightless, and didn't think about any of his past troubles. Just then he saw a lioness that looked to him like Kiara. The sun was in his eyes, and she was partially hidden behind a bush.

Kovu gazed at her and ran towards her, but she ran from him and around a huge tree with tons of branches and a large wide base. There was a hole in one of the parts of the base. Kovu looked under it and crawled forward, where he came face to face with the lioness again.

Kovu looked dumbfounded at her and asked, "Kiara?"

The lioness pinned him to the ground and put a paw over his mouth.

"Kovu, listen to me. You've got to get out of the jungle, while you can. Go back home to your pride, and your son," at the word "son", the lioness's eyes began to water.

Kovu stared up at her, in shock and saw that she was a rich auburn color, like him, only her eyes were golden orange, similar to Kiara's.

"Who are and why do you look like me?" Kovu asked, flipping the lioness and pinning her upset and offended by her behavior.

"I'm sorry Kovu, I tried to save you, but Uvok hurt me badly. That's why I must spend my life hiding from him, for your sake, and now Nahara's," the lioness sniffled.

Kovu's eyes widened. "Are you my real mother?"

Just then Uvok's roar rang out through the trees and the lioness jumped off him.

"Quick! Roll in dirt to hide my scent. Come again tomorrow to this spot alone or when it is safe," she said and fled from Kovu, whipping through the nearby bushes and trees.

"Son?" Uvok asked worriedly as he and his pride appeared from around the corner of the huge tree.

Kovu looked at his father, still intoxicated by the smell of the flowers.

"Uh," Kovu droned.

"Come son, you shouldn't be sniffing these flowers too much now," Uvok said leading him away from the giant tree.

"Where are we?" Kovu asked looking around, bright eyed, like a cub.

"Why this is your home. You're the prince of the jungle, Kovu," Uvok spoke clearly into his son's ear.

"The jungle! Wow," Kovu said running to a waterfall straight ahead and jumping in. He began splashing around like he was on "Cloud 9".

Uvok chuckled to one of the lionesses next to him. "Aww, look at him. Just the way things should be," he narrowed his eyes.

"Your highness?" a lioness next to him spoke.

"Yes Lanai?" he asked, still gazing at Kovu as he continued to splash around in the water.

"Woo-hoo!" Kovu shouted happily.

"Forgive me for asking, but what shall we do when the power of the flowers wear off him?" she asked concerned.

"Oh don't worry, Lanai. I've got that all planned out," he chuckled malevolently.

"Ooh excellent your majesty!" Lanai joined in his laughter.

"He's never going to see those Pridelands again. Especially not that mate of his and that little prince," Uvok growled lowly.

"Dad!" Kovu shouted out.

Uvok snapped back to reality, startled. "What is it son?"

"Come on, everyone come in the water's great!" Kovu smiled as he spit water out of his mouth like a fountain.

"Come on son, why don't you come with me and I'll show you your new future kingdom!" Uvok grinned beckoningly.

"Yay jungle kingdom!" Kovu yelled as he swam to the edge of the pond and climbed out, looking like a drowned rat.

A few lionesses snickered and soon fell over laughing.

Uvok turned and growled at them, and they paused in the positions they were in. Uvok trotted over to his son as he shook off. "Wow son, what a swim you had," he chuckled at Kovu's puffed out fur.

"Yeah? Whoa hey look at my fur!" Kovu began laughing at himself and started to jump around to see if his fur would do anything else. Just watching it move when he moved was enough to fascinate the intoxicated lion.

Just then the whole pride fell over laughing, and pounded the earth with their paws, and began rolling around.

"Idiots," Uvok rolled his eyes and grumbled. He decided this was the perfect time to show his son the jungle kingdom.

"Kovu, my new prince?" Uvok said in a low voice so the lionesses couldn't hear, as they were still laughing and making fun of Kovu.

"Yeah dad? Did you see my fur when-?

"Never mind that, son. Do you want to see your new future kingdom?" Uvok asked in an excited yet still low tone.

"Yeah jungle kingdom!" Kovu yelled.

"Shh! Come on now, I'll race you," Uvok challenged in a playful way.

"Ooh me first!" Kovu said as a burst of energy forced him to run farther into the jungle.

"Hey wait, slow down! You don't even know where it is! Kovu!" Uvok yelled as he took off after his son.

The lionesses were left behind to collect themselves and go back to the jungle kingdom when they were ready.

Uvok caught up with Kovu as Kovu had stopped abruptly to look around. "Hmm," Kovu said to himself.

"Son-you found your way on your own to your home! Oh I knew home was calling for you," Uvok said as he proudly nuzzled his son.

"But I can't find it," Kovu said.

"Son, look," Uvok smiled as he pointed to the sight in front of them.

Kovu followed his father's paw and gaped at what he saw. His eyes lit up as he gazed upon bright green abundant grass and trees with dappled sunlight, which made the leaves, and grass transparent. A light cool breeze made the shiny leaves gently flicker back and forth in the sunlight, like glass beads on a chandelier. The long grass whispered to Kovu. He could also hear and smell a small stream hidden on one side of the grass. In the center of the circle was what looked to be a small cave, and of course, dirt all around it.

"Isn't it beautiful son? And it will be yours someday, heck you can even help me run it now, you're old enough and have had some experience," Uvok said to himself, as he knew his son was too engulfed in the sights before them.

It was beautiful to Kovu. But something inside him felt like something was missing. Before Kovu's thought could go any further, Uvok nudged him and spoke.

"See that small cave? Well it looks small, but it's really big inside. You'll see," Uvok smiled.

Kovu snapped back to reality and nodded, looking at the cave.

Uvok noticed his son's odd behavior and got suspicious. "Hey, race you in the cave!" he said nudging his son again.

"Race?" Kovu stopped and repeated the word. Something about it seemed familiar. He couldn't remember what it was right now, as he was still intoxicated by the flower's dangerous scent he had smelled earlier. He grunted at the feeling he had and shook it off. "Race!" he yelled and took off after his father inside the cave.

At first it was dark, but following Uvok's lead, Kovu found himself in a secluded tropical paradise, with a huge waterfall and vines acting as a hammock.

It was a tropical rainforest.

Back in the Pridelands:

Reekyo had carried Niru back to the outside of the cave, where he sat moments ago watching his mother and most of his pride set out. Rafiki was with Simba and Nala on each side of him, and the three eldest lionesses, Sarabi, Sarafina, and Chaka were sitting calmly waiting for Niru. Suvo and Siva were sitting in front of the three lionesses. Everyone turned to look at Niru as Reekyo carried him to Rafiki.

"Niru you're safe," Nala sighed, relieved.

"Niru, you're not to go off like that again, understand?" Simba said sternly, as the feeling of fathering cubs came over him again.

Rafiki chuckled a bit. "Now Prince Niru, I know dis is hard especially on you, but I have some news for you. Tank you again, Reekyo. You may put de prince down now," Rafiki said.

Reekyo set Niru down gently in between Suvo and Siva, who promptly nuzzled him.

"Now dat de majority of de pride is gone on their journey, you tree cubs will begin a journey of your own, right here in de Pridelands," Rafiki began.

The cubs looked at each other and cocked their heads, confused.

"Dis is not de kind of journey you are tinking about probably, no. It is one in which you grow as lions and lionesses while you discover yourself," Rafiki spoke calmly.

This made the cubs even more confused, and they looked to Reekyo for guidance. To the cubs' dismay, all she could do was shrug her shoulders and shake her head, with a perplexed look on her face as well.

Rafiki saw this and chuckled again. "Don't worry little ones, I know it is difficult to understand now, but as you grow, it will become clear to you," Rafiki said reassuringly. "Now King Simba and I know someone who will help prepare you for when de time is right," Rafiki smiled and turned to Simba.

"Also I'd like to say Nala and myself, Sarabi, Sarafina, and Chaka, as well as Rafiki and Reekyo are all here to care for you three and help you as you grow. We will be glad to help you if you need it, so don't be afraid to ask," Simba said warmly to the three cubs sitting before him, particularly Suvo and Siva, who seemed a bit nervous.

"So, for de rest of de day, you tree (three) cubs relax and enjoy yourselves with de rest of de pride. Tomorrow morning, Simba and myself will wake you to lead you to Kunta, who will teach you all sorts of tings," Rafiki concluded. "Bye everyone," Rafiki said and beckoned Reekyo to leave also.

Reekyo waved and smiled, before turning to leave with her uncle.

"So, how about we all talk out here and enjoy this beautiful day?" Timon spoke up, from listening behind a rock with Pumbaa.

"Timon? Pumbaa? Where did you come from?" Niru asked suddenly.

"Well Niru, that is a very good question-Timon began.

"Sowwy, we were listening too," Pumbaa apologized.

Timon chuckled nervously.

"Relax guys, it's not like you weren't welcome to listen with us before," Simba smiled.

Timon inhaled, ready to make up an excuse, when he realized Simba wasn't mad and they could've gathered with the pride. "Ohh," he said slowly as a light bulb went on in his head.

Everyone laughed and invited them over next to them. Pumbaa and Timon smiled and came over and sat next to the cubs.

"Hey Siva, eat any good bugs lately?" Timon asked.

"Bugs? Eww!" Siva raised her eyebrows and made a face.

Timon laughed his classic laugh. "Heeheehee, gets 'em every time, right Simba?"

"Every time Timon," Simba laughed.

"Grandpa?" Niru spoke up.

"Yes?"

"Tell us a story about when you were a cub," Niru asked eagerly.

"Oh hey I know a great one! When your grandpa Simba was in the jungle with us eating bugs-

"The jungle?" Siva, Suvo, and Niru asked simultaneously.

"Oh yeah, didn't he ever tell you? Yeesh Simba, didn't you ever tell them?" Timon asked turning to Simba.

Simba was worried Niru and the twins would get the idea of running off to the jungle, and worse, Timon and Pumbaa knew the way and were gullible. They could get Pumbaa and Timon to tell and they'd be off. Who knew what would happen to them out there if they did? They could die, like he almost did many years ago, although this time, there would be no wisecracking meerkat and gentle, caring warthog to rescue them. It would be like history repeating itself, only with a fatal turn. Simba quickly spoke up. "Timon, maybe you should tell them about the time Kiara ran off," Simba quickly changed the topic.

"Which time?" Timon said and then burst out laughing. Pumbaa joined in the laughter too.

Simba sighed and rolled his eyes. Nala giggled quietly herself, as did the other three lionesses.

The cubs obviously didn't know Queen Kiara's record of times she ran off, so they just watched for a moment before they became bored and decided to go back into the cave. Niru went over to the "royal rock" bed and beckoned Siva and Suvo to come with him.

"Are you sure we're allowed to sleep on here?" Siva asked, feeling like she was breaking a rule.

"I'm the future king and you're my best friends, so I give you permission to," Niru smiled.

They all lay down and Siva started pawing her brother, and soon the three of them were having a "pawing war". They laughed and forgot their sadness for awhile, and began to relax. When they got tired of that, Niru spoke up.

"I'm so glad you guys are my best friends," he said.

"We're glad you're ours, Niru," Siva said and her and Suvo licked Niru's ears.

Niru smiled. "I'm sorry that I've tried to run off lately. I just, wasn't thinking about anything except wanting to see my mom our pride again. I was being selfish and I'm sorry. I now know I have to be strong and watch over my future kingdom," Niru smiled, getting teary eyed.

"I understand, Niru. I forgive you," Siva said and licked his cheek.

"Same here, buddy," Suvo said and licked Niru behind his ear.

"Thanks. I love you guys," Niru said, nuzzling them.

"We love you too," Siva and Suvo said simultaneously. They all laughed, and then settled down. Snuggled against each other, with Niru in the middle and Siva and Suvo on each side of him, the cubs rested up the remainder of the day.