Chapter 10: Looking through the Fence
Another day had passed in both Timsu(s lands and the savanna. Kiara and Kovu continued to search for Chaka, without any luck, but kept their doubt hidden from Sumba. As Kiara was still only a cub herself and not his real mother, Timsu had provided an alternate source of milk for them all, mostly Sumba as he wasn(t yet two months old yet. He was, however, beginning to grow considerably, as he should. Kiara and Kovu were also growing every day, and with that, the three of them grew closer as a real pride. While the three cubs were living in their newfound lives and growing closer, a change was happening between the Pridelanders and the Outlanders. Each leader had put aside their hatred towards each other, and remained focused on getting their cubs back. Thanks to the help of the (dynamic duo,( Timon and Pumbaa, both prides had learned of their cubs' adventure so far. At first both prides were furious at their cubs' brash actions, but then as Chaka explained how they had each saved them not just from the ostriches, but from starvation and loneliness, they each became silent and reflected on the story.
Simba and Nala were wowed by Kiara(s courage and responsibility she had demonstrated toward Chaka and her brother. Simba sensed that maybe she was beginning to grow into the queen she was to become someday.
Zira admired her son(s strength and bravery in fighting off the ostrich in order to protect Chaka. These were the makings of a great king, and Kovu clearly possessed them.
Both prides were caught up in the moments of glory.
Chaka impatiently looked from Simba to Zira and then finally broke the silence again. (So, are we gonna go find my pride or what?( She raised her eyebrows at both prides.
Simba studied Chaka again, and took in all her facial features and expressions. He let out a chuckle as he noticed the similar personality attributes between his daughter and the small, golden cub before him.
Chaka stared at him curiously, wondering why he had just laughed.
(Yes, we(re going to find your pride,( Zira cooed sarcastically, which made the small cub back up again, much like Simba had done when he was in the gorge with Scar on the day of his father(s death.
The king shook his mane, to rid himself of the memory for the moment, and took a step forward. (Yes, let(s all go find your pride, Chaka,( he said encouragingly.
The two prides murmured and nodded to each other.
Chaka(s face lit up with a huge, cub grin as she let out a small gasp. (Come on, let(s start searching!( She jumped up and immediately began sniffing around for Kiara, Kovu, and her brother, as the rest of the prides spread out.
(Queen( Kiara and (King( Kovu were napping together in the warm, African afternoon sun. Kiara turned onto her side and snuggled closer to Kovu, as he returned the affectionate action. He wasn(t really asleep anymore, as he couldn't stop thinking about how he was really king of his new pride. It was difficult to fathom, as he knew he was only a cub still. He had looked at his reflection everyday in the nearby man-made pond and each day, he saw the same face as the day before. He was confused as to what he should do, regarding this new life. It was too good to be true, he thought. Who ever heard of a cub becoming king? It was impossible. He was so caught up in his train of thought, that he didn't notice Kiara sneak up behind him.
"BOO!" she shouted and waited expectantly for him to jump into the air. But Kovu remained staring into the depths of the over-flowing pond.
Kiara instantly noticed something wasn't right, and nuzzled against his side as she walked up to him and looked into the pond. She looked from her reflection to Kovu's, trying to figure out what he was looking at. She moved her face closer to his as she searched the pond, thinking maybe he was looking for something in the water.
Just then Kovu's eyes lit up as he gazed upon Kiara's reflection in the pond. Her face had merged with his, and they began to look like one lion cub instead of two. He gasped as he studied their reflection closely. Kiara turned her attention back to Kovu, and saw he was gaping at something in front of them. She looked to where he was looking, and noticed a gentle ripple in the pond as their shared reflection became an amorphous circle of swirls of golden, dark brown, and red. Both cubs' eyes grew wide as the amorphous figure took the shape of a face. A face of a lion, much resembling Simba.
Kiara was taken aback as she stared at the familiar face, trying to figure out who it was.
The powerful, strong face of golden fur, brown eyes, and a deep brown, thick mane stared directly at Kiara and softened its expression. "Princess Kiara," it spoke.
Kiara let out small noise, resembling a cross between a gasp and a yell, and took a step back.
"Do not be afraid, Kiara. I am here to help guide you along your path of life," the deep, warm voice spoke.
"Path of life? Who...who are you?" She asked warily.
"I am your grandfather, Mufasa," he smiled.
Kovu gasped in disbelief. Was this really the spirit of the late King Mufasa?
"Grandfather Mufasa?" Kiara whispered.
"Yes, Kiara," he smiled at her and then turned to Kovu. "I see you have befriended the princess of the Pride lands, Kovu," Mufasa said.
Kovu nodded, speechless.
Mufasa chuckled, "Do not be afraid of me, Kovu, for the Great Kings guide all those who ask for help, not just royalty," he explained in a gentle voice as soft as a warm, summer wind.
Kovu blinked and smiled as he inhaled the sweet smell of the water.
"But Grandfather, I'm not really the princess of the Pride lands anymore," Kiara objected.
The wind began to pick up, ruffling the cubs' fur and creating larger ripples in the water.
Mufasa's face grew serious as he looked upon his granddaughter. "Kiara, I know what has been troubling you back home, but you cannot escape your destiny. You are the future queen of the Pride lands, you are my one and only granddaughter," Mufasa spoke in a deep voice.
Kiara's eyes began to water. However, before she could speak up again, Mufasa faced Kovu.
"As for you, young prince, you have a strong will, but an even stronger heart. Never forget who you are, and power you possess inside of you. Trust in that," Mufasa concluded as his image began to disperse in the water.
"Farewell Prince Kovu, and Princess Kiara, my granddaughter," Mufasa's voice whispered in the wind as the pool returned to normal and the cubs' reflections were restored.
Kiara and Kovu looked at each other, speechless.
"Did you..." Kovu began mouth agape.
"Yeah, I did," Kiara nodded.
"Kiara, Kovu!" Sumba's small voice rang out.
The small tan cub burst into the clearing, a huge grin on his face, his honey-eyes wide with excitement.
"Sumba, what is it?" Kovu spoke up as the cub came to nuzzle him and Kiara.
"It's Chaka, she's back!" he shrieked ecstatically.
"WHAT?" Kiara and Kovu shouted simultaneously.
"Where?" Kiara quickly got to her feet and looked around.
"Follow me, quick!" the cub took off like a speeding bullet toward the west end of Timsu's lands, which faced the savannah, where Kiara had found Kovu and Sumba yesterday after their argument.
Sun-bleached tall grass whipped past their faces as they raced with all their might toward their missing pride member.
"Come on, it's just up ahead!" Sumba yelled out happily. Tears of joy streamed down his cheeks as he inhaled deeply, and called out her name, "CHAKA!" he giggled as he burst through the last of the tall grass and looked upon his sister, along with Simba, Nala, Zira, and the rest of the Pridelanders and Outsiders on each side of her as she gazed innocently and happy upon her brother. His eyes widened with fear and he skidded to a stop right before he ran into the electrical fence.
"Sumba!" Chaka cried out joyfully and moved forward to paw at him through the huge fence.
"Chaka, no!" Sumba cried.
The sound of electricity buzzed quickly as it made contact with the small body of the golden colored cub.
She let out a high-pitched shriek of fright and pain as her fur stood on end for a moment before she fell unconsciously to the ground.
Sumba gasped softly, as he gazed upon his now unconscious sister. "NO CHAKA!" he screamed.
The two prides both stepped back and gasped at the effect the fence had on Chaka.
Just then Kiara and Kovu's voices rang out as they leapt into the clearing where Sumba was. Both cubs stopped dead in their tracks as they gaped in horror at their prides.
Kovu spotted Chaka lying limp next to the fence. His eyes watered immediately. "No, Chaka!" he called out, running over to the fence, but keeping a safe distance.
"Well, it looks like the monkey was right...she did lead us to our cubs," Zira's low malevolent voice chuckled.
Kovu peered up at his mom with wide eyes full of both fear and hatred.
Kiara hung back, an arm placed protectively Sumba, while staring at her father, mother, Timon, Pumbaa, and the rest of her pride through the square windows of the electric fence.
A/N: Let me just apologize for taking so long to update this story (and my other one). First of all, I can't find the disk with my LK4 story on it as of right now, second, over Spring Break our music dept. went to Atlanta from the 24-28, and I was extremely tired because every night for the four nights we were there we got back at like 11:30 PM every night, 4 girls in a hotel room had to take showers and get ready for bed with only 1 bathroom, plus 2 of my roommates wanted to watch TV at like 12:30, when I was like dead tired, so we didn't get to sleep 'till 1 or 2 AM every morning and had to get up at like 6 that same morning. Anyways, it was LOADS OF FUN!!!! I have such great memories, and over spring break I needed to rest up lots, plus I worked two days, had to finish term paper research, and an American History project, and I hung out with my friends. Also, I have had writer's block, so I couldn't think of anything to write about for this story or my LK4 one. However, now that I'm back at school, there's only 9 weeks left, and I have to work on my term paper, get it done b4 April 16, which I've barely started, I have 2 school music concerts to prepare for, and I really want to do spring/summer tennis. I still love writing, don't get me wrong, and I'm not being mean or I'm not mad at anyone, I'm just saying, please understand that I'm still a JUNIOR and yes for all you who don't know yet, believe me when I say it IS your hardest year in high school, but I'll be a senior next year, so GO CLASS OF 2005!!!! Ok, I just wanted to make all this clear, 'cuz I love all you guys that review; it's what inspires me to keep writing these fun stories, which I love! I'm just having a little busy schedule now, but thank the lord I'm done with the ACT. I took the national one last Saturday, and the only thing that's left is the PSAE testing for 2 days at the end of this month, and we get Friday off, so yay! Ok, just wanted to let you guys know this, cuz I care, OK? Ok, awesome! I'll update more often, I promise.
Another day had passed in both Timsu(s lands and the savanna. Kiara and Kovu continued to search for Chaka, without any luck, but kept their doubt hidden from Sumba. As Kiara was still only a cub herself and not his real mother, Timsu had provided an alternate source of milk for them all, mostly Sumba as he wasn(t yet two months old yet. He was, however, beginning to grow considerably, as he should. Kiara and Kovu were also growing every day, and with that, the three of them grew closer as a real pride. While the three cubs were living in their newfound lives and growing closer, a change was happening between the Pridelanders and the Outlanders. Each leader had put aside their hatred towards each other, and remained focused on getting their cubs back. Thanks to the help of the (dynamic duo,( Timon and Pumbaa, both prides had learned of their cubs' adventure so far. At first both prides were furious at their cubs' brash actions, but then as Chaka explained how they had each saved them not just from the ostriches, but from starvation and loneliness, they each became silent and reflected on the story.
Simba and Nala were wowed by Kiara(s courage and responsibility she had demonstrated toward Chaka and her brother. Simba sensed that maybe she was beginning to grow into the queen she was to become someday.
Zira admired her son(s strength and bravery in fighting off the ostrich in order to protect Chaka. These were the makings of a great king, and Kovu clearly possessed them.
Both prides were caught up in the moments of glory.
Chaka impatiently looked from Simba to Zira and then finally broke the silence again. (So, are we gonna go find my pride or what?( She raised her eyebrows at both prides.
Simba studied Chaka again, and took in all her facial features and expressions. He let out a chuckle as he noticed the similar personality attributes between his daughter and the small, golden cub before him.
Chaka stared at him curiously, wondering why he had just laughed.
(Yes, we(re going to find your pride,( Zira cooed sarcastically, which made the small cub back up again, much like Simba had done when he was in the gorge with Scar on the day of his father(s death.
The king shook his mane, to rid himself of the memory for the moment, and took a step forward. (Yes, let(s all go find your pride, Chaka,( he said encouragingly.
The two prides murmured and nodded to each other.
Chaka(s face lit up with a huge, cub grin as she let out a small gasp. (Come on, let(s start searching!( She jumped up and immediately began sniffing around for Kiara, Kovu, and her brother, as the rest of the prides spread out.
(Queen( Kiara and (King( Kovu were napping together in the warm, African afternoon sun. Kiara turned onto her side and snuggled closer to Kovu, as he returned the affectionate action. He wasn(t really asleep anymore, as he couldn't stop thinking about how he was really king of his new pride. It was difficult to fathom, as he knew he was only a cub still. He had looked at his reflection everyday in the nearby man-made pond and each day, he saw the same face as the day before. He was confused as to what he should do, regarding this new life. It was too good to be true, he thought. Who ever heard of a cub becoming king? It was impossible. He was so caught up in his train of thought, that he didn't notice Kiara sneak up behind him.
"BOO!" she shouted and waited expectantly for him to jump into the air. But Kovu remained staring into the depths of the over-flowing pond.
Kiara instantly noticed something wasn't right, and nuzzled against his side as she walked up to him and looked into the pond. She looked from her reflection to Kovu's, trying to figure out what he was looking at. She moved her face closer to his as she searched the pond, thinking maybe he was looking for something in the water.
Just then Kovu's eyes lit up as he gazed upon Kiara's reflection in the pond. Her face had merged with his, and they began to look like one lion cub instead of two. He gasped as he studied their reflection closely. Kiara turned her attention back to Kovu, and saw he was gaping at something in front of them. She looked to where he was looking, and noticed a gentle ripple in the pond as their shared reflection became an amorphous circle of swirls of golden, dark brown, and red. Both cubs' eyes grew wide as the amorphous figure took the shape of a face. A face of a lion, much resembling Simba.
Kiara was taken aback as she stared at the familiar face, trying to figure out who it was.
The powerful, strong face of golden fur, brown eyes, and a deep brown, thick mane stared directly at Kiara and softened its expression. "Princess Kiara," it spoke.
Kiara let out small noise, resembling a cross between a gasp and a yell, and took a step back.
"Do not be afraid, Kiara. I am here to help guide you along your path of life," the deep, warm voice spoke.
"Path of life? Who...who are you?" She asked warily.
"I am your grandfather, Mufasa," he smiled.
Kovu gasped in disbelief. Was this really the spirit of the late King Mufasa?
"Grandfather Mufasa?" Kiara whispered.
"Yes, Kiara," he smiled at her and then turned to Kovu. "I see you have befriended the princess of the Pride lands, Kovu," Mufasa said.
Kovu nodded, speechless.
Mufasa chuckled, "Do not be afraid of me, Kovu, for the Great Kings guide all those who ask for help, not just royalty," he explained in a gentle voice as soft as a warm, summer wind.
Kovu blinked and smiled as he inhaled the sweet smell of the water.
"But Grandfather, I'm not really the princess of the Pride lands anymore," Kiara objected.
The wind began to pick up, ruffling the cubs' fur and creating larger ripples in the water.
Mufasa's face grew serious as he looked upon his granddaughter. "Kiara, I know what has been troubling you back home, but you cannot escape your destiny. You are the future queen of the Pride lands, you are my one and only granddaughter," Mufasa spoke in a deep voice.
Kiara's eyes began to water. However, before she could speak up again, Mufasa faced Kovu.
"As for you, young prince, you have a strong will, but an even stronger heart. Never forget who you are, and power you possess inside of you. Trust in that," Mufasa concluded as his image began to disperse in the water.
"Farewell Prince Kovu, and Princess Kiara, my granddaughter," Mufasa's voice whispered in the wind as the pool returned to normal and the cubs' reflections were restored.
Kiara and Kovu looked at each other, speechless.
"Did you..." Kovu began mouth agape.
"Yeah, I did," Kiara nodded.
"Kiara, Kovu!" Sumba's small voice rang out.
The small tan cub burst into the clearing, a huge grin on his face, his honey-eyes wide with excitement.
"Sumba, what is it?" Kovu spoke up as the cub came to nuzzle him and Kiara.
"It's Chaka, she's back!" he shrieked ecstatically.
"WHAT?" Kiara and Kovu shouted simultaneously.
"Where?" Kiara quickly got to her feet and looked around.
"Follow me, quick!" the cub took off like a speeding bullet toward the west end of Timsu's lands, which faced the savannah, where Kiara had found Kovu and Sumba yesterday after their argument.
Sun-bleached tall grass whipped past their faces as they raced with all their might toward their missing pride member.
"Come on, it's just up ahead!" Sumba yelled out happily. Tears of joy streamed down his cheeks as he inhaled deeply, and called out her name, "CHAKA!" he giggled as he burst through the last of the tall grass and looked upon his sister, along with Simba, Nala, Zira, and the rest of the Pridelanders and Outsiders on each side of her as she gazed innocently and happy upon her brother. His eyes widened with fear and he skidded to a stop right before he ran into the electrical fence.
"Sumba!" Chaka cried out joyfully and moved forward to paw at him through the huge fence.
"Chaka, no!" Sumba cried.
The sound of electricity buzzed quickly as it made contact with the small body of the golden colored cub.
She let out a high-pitched shriek of fright and pain as her fur stood on end for a moment before she fell unconsciously to the ground.
Sumba gasped softly, as he gazed upon his now unconscious sister. "NO CHAKA!" he screamed.
The two prides both stepped back and gasped at the effect the fence had on Chaka.
Just then Kiara and Kovu's voices rang out as they leapt into the clearing where Sumba was. Both cubs stopped dead in their tracks as they gaped in horror at their prides.
Kovu spotted Chaka lying limp next to the fence. His eyes watered immediately. "No, Chaka!" he called out, running over to the fence, but keeping a safe distance.
"Well, it looks like the monkey was right...she did lead us to our cubs," Zira's low malevolent voice chuckled.
Kovu peered up at his mom with wide eyes full of both fear and hatred.
Kiara hung back, an arm placed protectively Sumba, while staring at her father, mother, Timon, Pumbaa, and the rest of her pride through the square windows of the electric fence.
A/N: Let me just apologize for taking so long to update this story (and my other one). First of all, I can't find the disk with my LK4 story on it as of right now, second, over Spring Break our music dept. went to Atlanta from the 24-28, and I was extremely tired because every night for the four nights we were there we got back at like 11:30 PM every night, 4 girls in a hotel room had to take showers and get ready for bed with only 1 bathroom, plus 2 of my roommates wanted to watch TV at like 12:30, when I was like dead tired, so we didn't get to sleep 'till 1 or 2 AM every morning and had to get up at like 6 that same morning. Anyways, it was LOADS OF FUN!!!! I have such great memories, and over spring break I needed to rest up lots, plus I worked two days, had to finish term paper research, and an American History project, and I hung out with my friends. Also, I have had writer's block, so I couldn't think of anything to write about for this story or my LK4 one. However, now that I'm back at school, there's only 9 weeks left, and I have to work on my term paper, get it done b4 April 16, which I've barely started, I have 2 school music concerts to prepare for, and I really want to do spring/summer tennis. I still love writing, don't get me wrong, and I'm not being mean or I'm not mad at anyone, I'm just saying, please understand that I'm still a JUNIOR and yes for all you who don't know yet, believe me when I say it IS your hardest year in high school, but I'll be a senior next year, so GO CLASS OF 2005!!!! Ok, I just wanted to make all this clear, 'cuz I love all you guys that review; it's what inspires me to keep writing these fun stories, which I love! I'm just having a little busy schedule now, but thank the lord I'm done with the ACT. I took the national one last Saturday, and the only thing that's left is the PSAE testing for 2 days at the end of this month, and we get Friday off, so yay! Ok, just wanted to let you guys know this, cuz I care, OK? Ok, awesome! I'll update more often, I promise.