SORRY SORRY SORRY! Oy, have been kind stressed lately, and I haven't written literally ANYTHING in the past year, but writing has always been a stress-reliever, so I am finally finishing "Follow in my Paw Prints". I didn't know people actually liked it that much. I found the story to be kinda bland. Then again, I'm the author. I hate most of the stuff a write, lmao. But THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to every one who reviewed and kicked my butt until I finished it. I gotta try and resolve my Harry Potter fiction, "Draco's Freedom" too, when I can. I'm rewriting the novel I wrote 3 years ago in hopes of getting it published, so now I'm back into writing!! YAAAY! And here you are, sorry if it sucks…
Follow in my Paw Prints: Chapter 7 Fairytale Ending
Simba deftly pushed Nala off of him, as she tackled him once more. Smiling, he stopped to catch his breath, and saw that she was doing the very same.
"So this is it," Simba panted, scraping his paw over his cut, which continued to trickle blood, even after Nala's care. "We're home."
Nala looked wistful as she sat up and begin licking her paw, still sticky and glistening with hyena blood. "Home……" she repeated softly. "Yeah, I mean, we were born here…… but we raised ourselves in the jungle……"
"Yeah, but weren't needed there, Nala," Simba says, "no one expected anything from us there, we belong here." He grins as he continues, "You said so yourself."
Nala returned the sly smile and stopped licking her paw. "And I was, of course, right."
The two shared a laugh as Rafiki moved toward them. Leaning heavily on his walking stick, Rafiki smiled happily and welcomed them, "I knew you would know when it was time to return," he said softly. Turning to Nala, "I told Sarafina that the night you left, but she seemed very worried nonetheless…… we were all worried about you. The both of you."
Moving closer to Simba, running a gentle finger over his long cut, he said, "Simba, King of Priderock…… I saw this lion, strong, brave, and mighty in you the day you were born. I sensed a responsibility that you would be forced to hold, but did not know it would equal this magnitude; taking on another, your own blood, for the throne. I always saw a loner, a schemer in Scar; he had a brilliantly cruel and conniving mind, but I saw that it would never prevail with lions like you around. Sadly, the day your death was told to us, I had little hope left. Our only real hope was this beautiful lioness……" He turned to gaze at Nala, who was blushing slightly.
"It was a silent agreement that Nala would become Queen of Priderock. Of course, it was not until later that Scar claimed the throne as rightful his since you, Simba, were gone. However, that night…… I heard a roar. I powerful roar, and I was sure that Mufasa's spirit was calling to his pride, but saw no king. No, when I looked at the tip of Pride Rock, I saw Nala, a born and loyal leader, screaming out her fury, her obsession, her sorrow. That roar could have raised the dead…… that may have been what you were aiming for, was it, Nala?" Nala was alone in her memory of the night she fled after a ghostly voice had called her, "Follow me. Follow in my paw prints. Come with me. Please." She hardly heard Rafiki's question, but stuttered out, "I…… I just felt like…… it just happened, I felt everything and nothing at the same time…… it hurt and felt good at the same time……maybe I was trying to raise the dead, bring you and Mufasa back to life….." she trailed off, looking to Simba, who was looking forlorn at the mention of his late father, but filled with pride at hearing about Nala's show of emotion toward him and his father after they had both disappeared; his father forever, himself, just waiting to be found.
Nodding, also remembering the night, Rafiki continued on, "Yes, and I definitely remember you tearing through the rain toward nothing, but you stopped suddenly…"
"I heard Simba," Nala said abruptly.
Again, Rafiki nodded, "He told you to follow him…"
"'Follow in my paw prints' is what he said," Nala recalled, still looking at Simba. She smiled, and Simba touched her paw with his own. "And you –" she turned to Rafiki "- you told me to return only – "
"When the time comes, indeed, I did," Rafiki said still smiling. "You showed sheer loyalty towards Simba, and showed the pride bravery, fearlessness. The pride, though stricken that their only heirs were gone, they still had that glimmer of hope, thanks to your efforts to find him. And here you are, both alive, both well, both back at home, both ready to rule. I welcome you home."
He beamed at them, straightening up and moving aside. He pointed up towards the rock, where the whole pride was looking over at them in sheer happiness. "I believe your family awaits you two," Rafiki said, still moving away from them. He was several feet away, but Nala and Simba had still not moved toward their sobbing family. Nala began to step forward, when Simba placed a paw on her shoulder.
Turning, Nala was met with a small, gently nuzzle. "Nala," his voice shook. Her smiling aqua eyes met his yellow, once fiery, now comforting eyes. "Thank you for following me. Thank you for staying with me. I wouldn't have survived without you……you're everything to me." He blushed, but didn't dare look away. Nala froze, overjoyed at hearing Simba's words. "I love you, Nala," he stated quietly.
Tears in her own eyes, Nala licked his muzzle and nuzzled against his thick mane, all the while, whispering, "I love you too, Simba, I love you too…… I love you……"
Pulling her closer, Simba grinned, "Marry me?"
Nala grinned tearily, and said jokingly, "Never! I don't want Simba cooties, eww!" She laughed and Simba did the same. Becoming more serious, she leaned against him, "Of course I will, Simba." He snuggled her closer for a few more seconds, savoring her feel, reveling in the day's many successes.
The two pulled away and, filled with a new happiness, leapt up the stones toward their pride. They were immediately engulfed into sobs and hugs and licks and nuzzles. The were bombarded with questions and praises, and Sarabi was still clinging to her son when Rafiki once again appeared at the base of Pride Rock and cleared his throat rather loudly. Rain had begun to fall, signaling Mufasa's approval and happiness at the homecoming as well. Simba wistfully stepped away from his doting mother and aunts and cousins and made his way in a few strides over to the wise old monkey.
Laying a hand on Simba's strong shoulder, Rafiki said, "It is time."
Simba thought a moment. He was right; the time had come from his to take his place as King of Pride Rock. Realizing his task, he slowly turned toward the rock and climbed, not seeing the gazes from his family as he moved. He felt his father's tears splashing over him, his spirit filling him, giving him hope of a brand new future at Pride Rock, a new whole new beginning. He reached the tip and searched the skies; the clouds parted to show bright, glowing stars overhead and Simba was overwhelmed with excitement and happiness and love. He heard a soft pitter-patter or dainty paws on slippery stone. Turning, he saw his future queen behind me, smiling softly. He saw love and hope reflected in her gorgeous eyes. She came forward and pressed her body against his, urging him to officially claim his throne. Nuzzling her once more, not in the least embarrassed that the whole pride could see, he turned and let out a roar that would rival his father's; even the one that the Nala let out years ago expressing her confusion and sorrow for a love she thought she lost. But here was, back home, with her family, with her king.
The lionesses answered his call. He and Nala roared together, announcing their everlasting partnership.
The rain continued, drowning out the last remaining piece of evidence that Scar and the hyenas ever ruled Pride Rock. Born soon was a new land and new beginning. The animals returned, the lands turned lush once again, and life began again in harmony that the pride had always known before the rein of Scar. A year after their return, Simba and Nala had been married and on a bright, sunny day, lighted by Mufasa's doting spirit, Simba and Nala welcomed their newborn daughter, Kiara, into the Circle of Life.
And so, the story of the Lion King ends…… (well, my odd version of it ends……wink)
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! I finally finished!! I won't be going on to Lion King II: Simba's Pride cuz it took me long enough to kick this one out. Im so sorry again for not updating earlier. I just, for some reason, lost the muse entirely, and it only returned about 2 weeks ago, when I decided to rewrite my novel "Red Feathers". Now I'm not so sure I remember how to update my story…… must refresh my memory. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE REVIEWS AND ENCROUAGEMENT! Good Night, Ladies and Gentlement!!
Captain Pocky (aka Sara)
PS And I don't think "Fairytale Ending" is a very good chapter title, but hey, who cares?? ;P