Entry 276: "Yet Another Birth"

'Sunrise, sunset. Sunrise, sunset. Swiftly fly the years,' I believe the song goes. For four years, I was the 16th Lion King of Pride Rock. It may sound like a short reign, but, to me, it felt like around 10 years. And nowadays, I believed that I'm beginning to feel my age. But, I was far from feeling tired. I just felt…a little ill. Was I sick? No. Whatever was causing this feeling, I had to find out.

I was at Rafiki's tree today. I told him about my 'illness' and asked if he could cure it. First, he put his ear to my chest. He said my breathing was normal. He felt over my forehead and said I wasn't running a fever either. Then, he suspected something. He suggested that I would go into…mental therapy.

I lied down on my belly while 'Rafiki the Psychiatrist' sat in front of me with his walking stick at his side. He began questioning me. "Has everything been alright back home, Mufasa?"

"Why, yes," I replied. "The pride's been doing fine."

"How about poor Taka?"

"He drifts further and further away from me as days go by, showering witty insults on me and harassing several of the lionesses. I tell him to stop, but I don't think he cares anymore. I'm just about to chase him out of my pride. But, he's not what's bothering me."

"I see, I see. How's Zuhura doing?"

"Just beautifully," I smiled.

"She's a late adolescent, right?"

"That's right. She's having her first hunt today. I don't know if she caught anything yet. But, somehow, I know she will. She got her best genes from Sarabi and me, after all."

"Speaking of which, how is dear Sarabi?"

"Just as fine," I said before taking a short, involuntary breath. "I spend most of my time with her."

"Why?"

"Because the baby is about due."

"Mufasa, I think I may have found your problem. Your tail suddenly twitched the moment you said 'baby.'"

I looked over my shoulder and found my tail awkwardly bent in three branches. He was right. My heart even jumped when I merely thought of my future child. "Mufasa, aren't you happy?" Rafiki asked.

"Of course I do!" I suddenly replied. "I…I look forward to see my new cub! But, it's just that…I don't know, I have these…fears. I'm not afraid, being that I'm already a father."

"I think I understand. You want this cub to be a boy."

"Well…yes. That's…been bothering me, too," I grinned nervously.

"Maybe you'll get lucky this time."

"I was lucky to have Zuhura. But…a father can't help but dream…"

After my therapy was complete, I made my way back to Pride Rock. In the grasslands, I stopped briefly to look toward the skies. I was in a rut, and it was because I fear the new cub will not be a boy. It had to be; I needed an heir. I shut my eyes and whispered to the skies, "You've always been so fair after all these years. So please, bless all of us…and me…with a boy." In my brief tranquility, I opened my eyes and saw the birds soar through the skies. But, one bird frantically soared right past them. It was Zazu! "SIRE! SIRE!! WHERE ARE YOU?!!" he cried.

"Zazu! I'm down here!" I shouted back.

"Oh! Your majesty, you must come to Pride Rock quick! It's time, it's time!"

"What?! It's time?!"

"Yes! Hurry back now!"

After Zazu turned back toward Pride Rock, I wasted no time to follow him. This was too important to miss. I had to be there. It was time. Sarabi was ready to give birth once again.

I was running…faster than I had ever ran before. But, it's no wonder. I had to be there to comfort Sarabi during her painful ordeal. And I had to be there to confront my fears. Nothing else was important. I had to be there, and nothing would lead me astray. "RWORRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!" That roar! I stopped in my tracks and looked off toward the right. That was Zuhura's cry; I was sure of it. And it sounded like she was in some kind of trouble. I had no choice. I had to help her. She was my daughter. So, I fell off the path to Pride Rock and headed toward the east. I heard Zazu cry, "Your majesty, where are you going?!" I had no time to explain. I had to see if Zuhura was all right…regardless of how inconvenient the situation.

Following my daughter's cry, I found myself in the lands of the tall yellow grass. From atop a hill, I spotted Adolescent Zuhura…surrounded by seven lionesses I never seen before. I saw that Zuhura had successfully caught a small antelope, and it looked like those intruders would try and take it from her. I saw that Zuhura already fought with the yellow lioness in front of her; they both were bleeding from scars over opposite cheeks. The lionesses snarled and closed in on her. But, before they could all attack at once, I roared to cease their assault. I slid down the hill and confronted these strange lionesses as I came to my daughter's side. "Dad, you're here," Zuhura sighed in relief.

I nodded and looked toward the others. "Cease your struggling. I don't know any of you, so that makes you all intruders. Are you all rogues?"

"No. They are with me."

Suddenly, with several more lionesses behind him, three new lions appeared. One lion had a dark tannish pelt and a brown face. He also had a gold stripe that spread horizontally over his back and tail, and his eyes were bright like sapphires. One other lion looked very similar to this one, but he was slightly shorter in stature. He was obviously his son. And the third lion's coat was dark orange, and his sleek black mane complimented it. The larger dark tan lion came to the lead lioness' side and growled softly, "Luanda, what's going on here?"

"I spotted an antelope to catch…until that little brat stole it away from me," she replied.

"You liar!" Zuhura protested. "I saw this antelope first and caught it fair and square! Besides, even if you did see it first, you're an intruder to our lands! You had no right to hunt in our territory!"

"Why you…!"

"Stand down, Luanda!" snarled the lion. "The young lady is correct. You knew perfectly well that we're in someone else's territory."

"Yes. Mine," I snarled. "So, answer me. Who are you?"

The dark tan lion turned to me and cleared his throat before answering. He was clearly a proper lion, but he was still an intruder. "My name is Kabaila. We've come in peace. We only came to find a new land where we can reside in. We were once known as the Pride of the Rainlands. Hence the name, our old lands get excessive rain. We got used to it…until the land became flooded. Several had died in the flood. So, after the flood had died down, we left in search of a new land where we will live in peace. We asked the King of the Sahara if he knows of a good land for us, and he told me to seek the assistance of the Legendary King of the Pridelands."

"Huh. Is that how I'm known in the outside world?" I laughed.

"Oh! So then, you are King Mufasa!"

The moment my name was mentioned, the lionesses backed away in awe and intrigue. Immediately and respectfully, Kabaila bowed down to me. "It's an honor to finally meet you," he said.

"Why, thank you," I nodded.

Then, the dark orange lion stepped forward with a hopeful stare. "It's a pleasure to finally meet the lion who defeated the evil Vumi," he said. "I am Kiruu. But…is it true? Is Dziva really gone?"

"I'm afraid so," I replied softly.

"I see," the lion sighed disappointedly.

Kabaila stood upright and turned to his fellow lion. "Pardon me by asking, but what does he know about Dziva?" I asked.

Kabaila replied, "Dziva…is Kiruu's mother."

"R…really?"

I looked back toward Kiruu in surprise. But, I could see a resemblance between him and Dziva in their eyes. But, it was still hard to believe because Dziva never told me about him. As I pondered over this, I saw the lion that resembled Kabaila and Zuhura briefly exchange glances before Zuhura spitefully looked away. "Dad, can we go back home now?"

"Yes, we really should!" I gasped. "The baby's coming!"

With no more interruptions, I ran once again to Pride Rock with Zuhura. And Kabaila's pride followed close behind. I had no time to do something about them. The new cub had to come first. Besides, after how that other lion looked at her, I might have found a solution on what to do with Zuhura.

At Pride Rock, Kigali and most of the lionesses of my pride bowed down briefly to greet their visitors. Kabaila's pride replied with a bow afterwards. "We graciously welcome you to our Pridelands," Kigali greeted.

"Thank you. It is a pleasure," Kabaila replied.

"We're sorry for intruding so suddenly," Kiruu added, "especially on a day like today."

As both prides interacted, I walked up to the promontory of Pride Rock and found Zazu there at the den entrance. "Well?" I whispered.

"It won't be long now," Zazu replied.

A second later, Anasa walked out the den. "Your majesty, you made it. Please come in." I nodded and followed her inside.

Inside the den, I saw my dear Sarabi lying over our sleeping rock. She was still breathing in a labored state. I gulped quietly to myself and came closer to her. I sat down and caught her attention. She smiled wearily and purred, "Mufasa…"

I nuzzled over her head and purred back, "Don't speak. You have enough stress already."

After I pulled away, Anasa came to Sarabi to continue nursing her. "Keep breathing," she purred as she licked over her abdomen. As her breathing became louder and louder with each passing minute, I watched nervously. I couldn't sit still, so I paced back and forth while I still kept my eyes on my mate. "Daddy," someone whispered. I looked out the den to see Zuhura at the entrance. I reluctantly came out the den to see her. "You should stay outside, Zuhura," I said. "I'll let you in after it's over."

"Oh, okay. But, Mom's doing fine, right?" Zuhura murmured in worry.

"No, I imagine childbirth would hurt a lot. But, don't worry. She'll be okay afterwards."

"Okay. But, did those other guys have to come?" she pouted.

"I have no time to send them on their way right now. But, why not take advantage of their company? There are two very handsome lions down there," I grinned.

"Dad!"

"Tell me the truth."

"Well, both of them are kind of cute. But, after what that Luanda said to me, I want nothing to do with any of them."

With that, Zuhura began to sulk away. But, she suddenly bumped into Kabaila's smaller twin as he was climbing up the promontory. The two lions gasped and stared at one another nervously. Zuhura slowly walked to the side and walked down without saying a word. "Oh, it's you. I haven't caught your name," I said.

"I'm sorry for being so rude," he replied meekly. "I was thinking, and…I got distracted. My name is Mwali, Kabaila's son."

"It's nice to meet you, Mwali. So, was there something you want?"

"I wanted to ask on my father's behalf if you know a good land we could reside in. If you do, you can just point us to the right direction. We wouldn't want to give you any more trouble, so we'll leave at once."

"Oh no. It's no trouble at all. I welcome you to stay here for the night; after the baby is born, I'll be at Sarabi's side the whole day. Tomorrow, I'll escort you to a perfect land I have in mind myself. So, make yourselves comfortable."

"Oh, you are too kind," Mwali smiled. "Thank you."

I nodded and started to go back into the den. But, I stopped as soon as I thought about him and Zuhura. Maybe I could get an incentive going between them. I turned back around to Mwali and said, "Mwali, my daughter, Zuhura, seems to be upset. All of this happened during her first hunt, and she must feel a bit aggravated. Maybe you should apologize."

Mwali gulped, "Well, um, I would. But, I don't think she likes me, so it would probably be a waste of time."

"But, you want to apologize, am I right?"

"Yes, I do," he admitted. "Excuse me."

Mwali turned away and walked down the promontory after Zuhura. But, shortly after he vanished from sight, Kiruu appeared in his place.

Kiruu, the son of the late Dziva, approached me with a thoughtful stare. He looked as if he wanted to ask me something. "Do you have a question?" I said.

Kiruu replied gruffly, "You were the last lion that came in contact with my mother, were you not?"

"Yes."

"It's not like it really matters or anything. But…what was she like?"

"'What was she like?'"

Kiruu nodded in reply. Something told me that I should tell him. He was Dziva's son, after all. He had a right to know, despite the potential of what he may hear might hurt him. I sat down next to the young lion and cleared my throat. Then, I began to tell him as much as I know. "Dziva…lost her parents in a confrontation with hyenas. She only had her younger sister, Zira, but they were in the middle of a plague, so food was scarce. Zira was still a young cub, and Dziva was a mediocre huntress at that time. So, she stole food from nearby prides and even lied to let her in the pride in order to plunder their food stock. She had done all that…for the sake of her sister's survival. But, in exchange, she gave up the trust of everyone around her. Every pride knew her name, and everyone shunned her, unable to let a liar in their midst. But, others knew her to be more than just a liar. She was an insane berserker under the night of a full moon. Upon that night, she slaughtered an entire pride and done so in order for her and her sister to desperately feed upon their corpses. Dziva found out about her curse and was nearly destroyed by everyone's inability to trust her. Then, she eventually crossed paths with Vumi, and he convinced her to join him in his plan of 'purification.' Dziva accepted because she could not live if Zira found out about her 'blessing' and lost her trust in her." I stopped to see Kiruu's reaction to this story so far. I could see the confusion in his worried expressions, not to mention a small glimmer of anger and disappointment. "I…can't believe she would do all that for the sake of her only sister," he said.

"I was never told what happened in between from when Vumi met her to when I did. I imagine you were born around the time my Zuhura was born. You two are around the same age, if I'm not mistaken."

"I was with the Rainlanders my whole life. I was told by Mwali's old man that a lioness named Dziva left me there so I would live a better life than she was then. That's how I learned she was my mother. I guess she had the right idea. I don't think I could stand having a mother who done horrible things like that."

"'Distrust' and 'mistrust' are two different things. What she done was undeniably wrong, but despite that, Dziva was good and true. I knew she was nothing but a tormented prisoner in Vumi's little chain-gang when I first met her. That's why I convinced her to come with me and join my pride. And I would protect her if Vumi tried to take her back. Something about her told me she was worthy of trust, so I gave her mine, despite her attacking us soon after. I guess it's because I could see myself in her, really. I could imagine myself doing the things she done for the sake of her loved ones. Something that simple enabled me to trust her. Dziva was apparently touched, and that brought her to save my life in exchange of her own during the last fight with Vumi."

"She died saving you?" Kiruu replied in intrigue.

"Yes."

"You made me so happy. You would welcome an evil creature like me. You're a true friend. Please let Zira know I was always so proud of her. Let her know that I will always be behind her no matter what path she takes. You have to live to tell her…"

Those were Dziva's last words. After telling him this much, Kiruu's opinion began to change. "Wow, Mother…" he purred.

"I was the first lion in a long time to ever have complete trust in her, so I imagined that she saved me as appreciation. If it wasn't for her, Vumi might have won and destroyed this world."

"Interesting tale," Kiruu replied in awe. "But, is that all? Do you know anything else about her?"

I stood up and walked in front of Kiruu with an easeful grin. "Well, on a lighter note, I didn't have much time to get to know your mother. But, she was very pretty, and she has the same lovely eyes you have. If she were still around, I wouldn't mind in the least if she were one of my mates. But, like any rose, she's not without her thorns. She was quite the powerful fighter. I never fought her, but after seeing her fights with Zira and one other Diviner named Legba, I wished I could've sparred with her just once. Her agility was like the swiftness of lightning, and her power from her attacks could pound like thunder. She was simply a leonine storm."

"Wow. She certainly does sound strong," Kiruu nodded.

"Yes, she was."

The deep orange lion seemed relaxed and free of stress. It's apparent that he held a new respect for the lioness who abandoned him for his sake. His willingness to forgive and appreciate definitely contrasted from his possible paternal figure. If Dziva went with Vumi and she left Kiruu to the Rainlanders years later, it was theoretically possible that this lion may be Vumi's son…

Suddenly, I heard Sarabi cry out! I quickly ran back into the den. Sarabi was panting rapidly than before. She was reaching the critical point. Anasa urged her on. "Keep pushing. Keep pushing," she would say. I sat at her side and watched her come through this ordeal. I saw everyone outside waiting. Some were patient while the rest weren't. Sarabi reached out for my paw, and I let her take it for comfort. She squeezed it hard, but I expected that contraction. Her breathing grew quicker, louder, heavier. I shut my eyes once more to pray as Sarabi gave one final push. Please, I thought. Please let it be a boy. Please…

There was a tear. After one, several tears ran down my eyes. I was smiling. Joy made my heart race. I couldn't hold in this feeling I had. "Yippie-yay! Yippie-yai! I've hit the ol' bull's eye!" was what I said to quote that old play Dad told me about when I was young. Relieved of the stress, Sarabi rested cheerfully as our young baby boy suckled her. Anasa smiled and walked out the den to tell everyone the good news. I lied down next to the tired Sarabi, and we both looked over our new cub…our son. My darling looked at me with those dazzling eyes of life and nuzzled me tenderly. My tears ran over her head as I nuzzled back. Suddenly, several lionesses came in the den with Zuhura leading the way. Our daughter looked at the young baby and giggled. "I have a baby brother. What's his name?" Sarabi and I looked toward each other and nodded. We both agreed on a boy and a girl name prior to the cub's birth. We looked back toward Zuhura and simultaneously replied, "Simba." The lionesses quickly talked amongst themselves excitedly while Kabaila, Mwali, and Kiruu all looked on with a smile. Suddenly, Scar came in. Silence quickly plagued the pride as my brother made his way to see his nephew. He carried an emotionless expression as he looked over my son. What was he going to say, I wonder? After looking over the baby for several seconds, Scar looked up with a small grin. "He has your essence," he said.

I briefly smiled at him. "Thank you."

Then, Scar walked away and out the den once again. Puzzled, I watched him leave. Was he really complimenting me? The spotted baby's little cries caught my attention, and I looked down to see him in Sarabi's arms. I came closer to the young boy and gently nudged him with my nose. He opened his colorless eyes for the first time and saw me. He cooed and weakly tried to hug me in my nose. I chuckled and sighed contentedly. Zuhura quickly took command and growled to the other lionesses to leave us alone in peace. They replied and slowly left the den. After Zuhura left last, Sarabi yawned and went to sleep after our cub did. Then, I followed them into slumber with the biggest smile…

"Simba…my son…"