Months passed and the drought passed through out the savannah. The heat was excruciating. Nala hated it she couldn't play outside the cave and there was barely any water. She was so bored, half the time she slept in the cool cave or went to the other cubs cave and played with them. Sarafina took the opportunity without Nala and went to Delila's cave to talk about the betrothal between her daughter and her son. Kaseko went over to Nala's own cave and they played a few games but it wasn't as fun as it would have been outside, not that he enjoyed these games. In his mind he was cursing Nala, wishing she had never come here. But he had to stay focused.
Sarafina walked into Delila's cave where she was hiding from the heat. "Delila?" Delila with her head still on her paws, rolled her eyes at the sound of Sarafina's voice. She then lifted her head and put on a fake smile, " Good afternoon, your majesty." " Delila. You know you don't have to address me like that." " I'm sorry. Well what can I help you with?" Sara lay down in front of Delila and spoke, " I was wondering if I could talk to you about your son." " What about him?" Delila responded suspiciously. " Well, as you know since Nala is a princess, when she gets older she will take my place as queen but she will need a king by her side." " Go on." Delila stated inquisitively. " Well, when we were at pride rock with Mufasa Nala was betrothed to the prince, Simba. And it occurred to me that since we are no longer in their pride that the betrothal is no longer valid. Now that Nala is heir to the throne she needs a betrothed. She seems to have a liking towards your son and he to her, and after talking it over with Tauna, I am proposing to you that your son be husband to my daughter and king in the event of our abdication." Delila smiled. Not because of the fact that her son was betrothed but because Sarafina was making her plan all the more easier. Now Kaseko wouldn't have to try to earn Tauna's trust. it was being put right into his lap. Now he had the girl all he has to do is find a way to kill Tauna and find away to make it look like an accident. That way no one would give it a second thought to retaliate against Kaseko and he would keep his promise to his father. This was perfect. " I would be honored to have my son marry your daughter, Sara. Kaseko has also told me of his liking for Nala, and I believe it would be a perfect match." " Wonderful, we will announce it as soon as things better themselves and we aren't in such heat. thank you" Sara replied thoughtfully. " No. Thank You." Delila answered and after Sara left Delila called for her son.
"NO NO NO!! it's bad enough you have me befriending and charming this girl I am not going to marry her. After I become king I'm going to banish her and she will be out of my life forever." Kaseko exclaimed after his mother told him the "good" news. Delila was losing her patience, " Don't you understand. This is perfect. If you marry Nala you will be automatically made heir to the throne. After the marriage you can terminate Tauna, but make it seem like a accident. When the news of his death reaches the pride no one will even suspect it was you." " But I want him to know it was me. I want him to know who I am." " And he will but that doesn't mean the pride has to. Once he is gone no one will get back at you because they will think it was an accident." "Well that parts fine but I don't want to marry Nala!!" " Well you have to. And who knows maybe you might change your feelings toward her. You never know. Just because you might love her doesn't mean you have to like her parents. Relationships like that happen all the time." Kaseko was getting annoyed at his mothers persistence. Why couldn't she just stick with the original plan. That one was fine. " No I am not doing it!" " you will whether you like it or not." " No!" and with that Kaseko ran out annoyed and angry into the heat of the day.
Two months passed and finally the rains came to the land. The heat wasn't as bad and Nala couldn't be happier. Now that the heat was gone Sarafina would start to slowly teach Nala the basics of hunting and the rules of being a queen. One day Nala was waiting for her mother under one of the acacia trees for her daily lessons. Sara came up to her daughter," Nala, today we aren't going to have lessons. Today I want you to get as much rest as you can because tomorrow we are going to pride rock to visit Mufasa's pride." Nala whined, " DO we have to? Can't we go some other time?" Sara was getting irritated and said sternly, " Nala. I said that we would go after the drought. The drought is over and I am going to go visit. You don't have to come. But if you want to see Simba I suggest you get ready to leave in the morning. You promised him, remember?" Nala grimaced a little. She wanted to see him but not right now. She didn't feel like leaving right now but she also didn't want to make a liar of herself. "Okay." " Alright. Let's practice your hunting then we will get something to eat. Then it's off to bed." " Okay. At least I can get my hunting lesson."
Nala and Sara caught a zebra and after they ate, headed off to bed. The next morning thy got up early they kissed Tauna goodbye and headed toward the pridelands. They were at the edge of the pridelands when Sara stopped. " What Happened here?" They looked around and saw that everything around them was dead. It was still very hot, not excruciating but very hot. The trees, the savanna, everything was dry and lifeless. The waterhole was almost dry and there were barely any herds around. 'why haven't the rains come here yet?' Sara thought to herself. " whoa. Mom what happened?" " I don't know Nala, I guess the rains haven't come yet. I hope everyone is okay. Let's go." Nala and Sara headed further into the pridelands and he further they went the drier things got. As they were walking, they saw…a hyena? In the pridelands? Another joined him and then two more. "what's going on here? Mufasa would never allow this." Sara thought out loud "Stay here, Nala. And don't move from this spot." "Okay mom." " Hey! Who are you and what…Sarafina?!" a voice behind them said. "Sarabi?" she replied. "What are you doing here? Hello Nala." Sarabi smiled. " Hi! Where is Simba?" Sarabi frowned at the mention of her sons name and then turned her attention to the hyenas and saw that they were startled by something. "Oh dear. I'm sorry but you both have to get out of here, quickly!" She whispered nervously. " Why? What's wrong? Why are there hyenas here?" Sara asked, worried about why her friend was acting so strange. "there is explain. Go to the gorge and wait there I'll try to see you down there. Now go!" Sara and Nala slunk off and headed toward the gorge. As they were walking away the hyenas were making there way toward Sarabi. "Who were you talking to?" asked one of the hyenas. "I was talking to myself. Do you have a problem with that?" "Don't back talk me. Besides Scar is calling for you." He spat back. " what else is new?" she muttered under her breath. She followed behind the hyenas as they headed back to pride rock. 'I hope Nala and Sara make it okay.'
Sarafina and Nala made it to the gorge without any problems. " What was that about?" Nala asked confusedly. "I don't know, but something's not right.". they sat and waited for Sarabi to return. After a few minutes Nala's ears perked up. " Mom, do you hear that?" "What?" "it sounds like someone talking." After they were quiet for a while Sara heard it and they headed toward the voice. " Hey Simba," the voice said. "Simba!" Nala exclaimed then ran from where she was standing in the direction where the voice was coming. When she got there she didn't see Simba anywhere, just some guy."…we really miss you down here. It's not the same without you. Wherever you are though, I'm sure your happier there." why was he talking to himself she thought. " I know you and Mufasa are with us and will take care of us. I'll be back later." the young male then turned around and started walking towards Nala with his face down. Sarafina walked up behind Nala and saw the young lion. And then smiled in recognition. "Amani?" "Yes Maam? I was just …" he then looked up and saw Sarafina and Nala standing in front of him and smiled. " Oh wow what are you guys doin here? It's great to see you. Hey Nala! I think you've gotten a little bigger" Nala ran up to him and he bent down to butt heads with her" Hey Amani! Cool! Your mane is growing in.". Sarafina interrupted, " Amani what is going on? Why are there hyenas here?" Amani's smile turned into a frown and he once again looked down at his paws. "What's wrong?" Nala asked. Amani looked up again a tear was forming in his eye. " I hate to have to tell you this but…" he paused debating whether or not to tell them. "tell us what?" Sara asked. Amani sighed and then said, "Mufasa and Simba are dead." Sarafina and Nala gasped. Nala started breathing heavy shaking her head as if to shake the thought out of her head. Amani continued, "they died in a stampede here in the gorge. Simba was playing down here when it started and then Mufasa tried to save him but he died also. I often come down here to just talk to Simba and Mufasa even though I know they can't hear me." Nala started to cry heavily and sarafina wanted to cry but she had to stay strong for Nala. But eventually she gave in also. " I'm so sorry." Amani said as he walked over and put his paw on Nala's shoulder. "when did it happen?" Sara asked trying to clear her throat of the lump that was in there. " The day before the drought started. This drought has been going on for to long. We've had no rain at all." he paused for a while then started again, "For what it's worth Nala, Simba always thought about you. He missed you very much." Nala stopped crying for a while and lifted her head from Amani's shoulder, then she felt a large lump in her throat. Her mind went back to the few days before the drought. And she remembered when her mother kept asking her if she wanted to visit Simba, and she said that they would visit after the drought. Even after the drought she didn't want to visit. She didn't have a chance to say good-bye to her best friend and now she would never see him again because of her own selfishness. All that time he was waiting for her and she never even gave a second thought about it. She once again started crying harder then before. This didn't make Amani feel any better and he started to cry with her. Sarafina stopped crying a little and asked Amani after a few moments of silence, " Amani why are there hyenas in the pridelands?" Amani sniffled a little and answered, " Well, the day scar told us that they were dead and he took over the throne, he invited the hyenas to live us in the same lands. Without our consent. It's bad enough that the pridelands are in bad condition but now we have to feed the hyenas as well as ourselves. They don't let us stop hunting half the time they don't even finish what they have us kill. That is why there aren't very many herds here anymore. They are all leaving for better land." Sarafina was confused now. "But why would scar let them live here. He knows lions and hyenas don't get along." she asked. " You got me there. He treats them better then he treats us.". just then they heard some voices coming from around the corner behind Amani. "you have to go now. I'm sorry you can't stay. Scar has the hyenas trained to keep out all visitors. If they see you I don't know what they'll do." Amani said quietly as he pushed Nala gently away from his arm. Sara nodded and replied quietly " Good bye then. If you ever need anything come find us. Head out east and passed the hills. You should find us there." Amani nodded and with that Sara and Nala ran back from the way they came, out of the gorge and on toward home.
*********************************************
Nala and Sara made their way home safely. When they got home everything was exceptionally quiet. When they found Tauna he had a forlorn look on his face. When he looked up he saw that Nala was crying also. Not knowing why she was crying he nuzzled his daughter and then asked Sara, " what's wrong with Nala?" "When we went to visit Pride rock we found out that Mufasa and Simba were killed in an accident a few months ago. The pridelands are in terrible condition I wish there was something we could do for them. Why is everyone else so sad?" She asked in reply. " I'm afraid we have suffered a tragedy also. While you were gone Delila was killed. When the lionesses went out hunting Delila went also. When she tried to bring down the kill but it kicked and hit her in the neck. It got away but Delila wasn't as fortunate. It broke her neck, she died instantly." All of this was to much for Sara and Nala. " where's Kaseko?" Asked sarafina. "He's in his cave. he refuses to talk to anyone. He's taking this very hard. Maybe he will talk to Nala. Maybe you should go see him." Tauna suggested. Nala had calmed down a little but was still crying and made her way to Kaseko's cave.
Kaseko was in his cave but he was not crying. He couldn't. instead he was mentally scolding himself. The last thing he had said to his mother was no and he yelled at her. He knew his mom would forgive him but just as with his father he would honor his mothers last wish. He would allow himself to become engaged to Nala and carry out their plan from there. Just then he heard someone coming toward him he turned around and saw that it was Nala. " Hey." she said quietly. "Hi." he replied " I'm so sorry about your mother. I know how you feel. I just found out that my best friend died too." "Thanks but I don't need your pity." he replied annoyed. Then he hit his head with his paw and scoffed 'bad answer' he thought. If he was going to do what his mother had asked of him this was not going to do it. "I'm sorry. I'm just a little upset is all. And I sorry about your friend." he told her. " I understand and thank you. I'll leave if you want to be alone for a while." " No it's alright I could use some company right now. You probably do too." he responded. " yeah I guess we do sort of need each other right now. "
***********************************************
Well there's part two. Part three will bring surprise reunions and some more unwanted guests
Sarafina walked into Delila's cave where she was hiding from the heat. "Delila?" Delila with her head still on her paws, rolled her eyes at the sound of Sarafina's voice. She then lifted her head and put on a fake smile, " Good afternoon, your majesty." " Delila. You know you don't have to address me like that." " I'm sorry. Well what can I help you with?" Sara lay down in front of Delila and spoke, " I was wondering if I could talk to you about your son." " What about him?" Delila responded suspiciously. " Well, as you know since Nala is a princess, when she gets older she will take my place as queen but she will need a king by her side." " Go on." Delila stated inquisitively. " Well, when we were at pride rock with Mufasa Nala was betrothed to the prince, Simba. And it occurred to me that since we are no longer in their pride that the betrothal is no longer valid. Now that Nala is heir to the throne she needs a betrothed. She seems to have a liking towards your son and he to her, and after talking it over with Tauna, I am proposing to you that your son be husband to my daughter and king in the event of our abdication." Delila smiled. Not because of the fact that her son was betrothed but because Sarafina was making her plan all the more easier. Now Kaseko wouldn't have to try to earn Tauna's trust. it was being put right into his lap. Now he had the girl all he has to do is find a way to kill Tauna and find away to make it look like an accident. That way no one would give it a second thought to retaliate against Kaseko and he would keep his promise to his father. This was perfect. " I would be honored to have my son marry your daughter, Sara. Kaseko has also told me of his liking for Nala, and I believe it would be a perfect match." " Wonderful, we will announce it as soon as things better themselves and we aren't in such heat. thank you" Sara replied thoughtfully. " No. Thank You." Delila answered and after Sara left Delila called for her son.
"NO NO NO!! it's bad enough you have me befriending and charming this girl I am not going to marry her. After I become king I'm going to banish her and she will be out of my life forever." Kaseko exclaimed after his mother told him the "good" news. Delila was losing her patience, " Don't you understand. This is perfect. If you marry Nala you will be automatically made heir to the throne. After the marriage you can terminate Tauna, but make it seem like a accident. When the news of his death reaches the pride no one will even suspect it was you." " But I want him to know it was me. I want him to know who I am." " And he will but that doesn't mean the pride has to. Once he is gone no one will get back at you because they will think it was an accident." "Well that parts fine but I don't want to marry Nala!!" " Well you have to. And who knows maybe you might change your feelings toward her. You never know. Just because you might love her doesn't mean you have to like her parents. Relationships like that happen all the time." Kaseko was getting annoyed at his mothers persistence. Why couldn't she just stick with the original plan. That one was fine. " No I am not doing it!" " you will whether you like it or not." " No!" and with that Kaseko ran out annoyed and angry into the heat of the day.
Two months passed and finally the rains came to the land. The heat wasn't as bad and Nala couldn't be happier. Now that the heat was gone Sarafina would start to slowly teach Nala the basics of hunting and the rules of being a queen. One day Nala was waiting for her mother under one of the acacia trees for her daily lessons. Sara came up to her daughter," Nala, today we aren't going to have lessons. Today I want you to get as much rest as you can because tomorrow we are going to pride rock to visit Mufasa's pride." Nala whined, " DO we have to? Can't we go some other time?" Sara was getting irritated and said sternly, " Nala. I said that we would go after the drought. The drought is over and I am going to go visit. You don't have to come. But if you want to see Simba I suggest you get ready to leave in the morning. You promised him, remember?" Nala grimaced a little. She wanted to see him but not right now. She didn't feel like leaving right now but she also didn't want to make a liar of herself. "Okay." " Alright. Let's practice your hunting then we will get something to eat. Then it's off to bed." " Okay. At least I can get my hunting lesson."
Nala and Sara caught a zebra and after they ate, headed off to bed. The next morning thy got up early they kissed Tauna goodbye and headed toward the pridelands. They were at the edge of the pridelands when Sara stopped. " What Happened here?" They looked around and saw that everything around them was dead. It was still very hot, not excruciating but very hot. The trees, the savanna, everything was dry and lifeless. The waterhole was almost dry and there were barely any herds around. 'why haven't the rains come here yet?' Sara thought to herself. " whoa. Mom what happened?" " I don't know Nala, I guess the rains haven't come yet. I hope everyone is okay. Let's go." Nala and Sara headed further into the pridelands and he further they went the drier things got. As they were walking, they saw…a hyena? In the pridelands? Another joined him and then two more. "what's going on here? Mufasa would never allow this." Sara thought out loud "Stay here, Nala. And don't move from this spot." "Okay mom." " Hey! Who are you and what…Sarafina?!" a voice behind them said. "Sarabi?" she replied. "What are you doing here? Hello Nala." Sarabi smiled. " Hi! Where is Simba?" Sarabi frowned at the mention of her sons name and then turned her attention to the hyenas and saw that they were startled by something. "Oh dear. I'm sorry but you both have to get out of here, quickly!" She whispered nervously. " Why? What's wrong? Why are there hyenas here?" Sara asked, worried about why her friend was acting so strange. "there is explain. Go to the gorge and wait there I'll try to see you down there. Now go!" Sara and Nala slunk off and headed toward the gorge. As they were walking away the hyenas were making there way toward Sarabi. "Who were you talking to?" asked one of the hyenas. "I was talking to myself. Do you have a problem with that?" "Don't back talk me. Besides Scar is calling for you." He spat back. " what else is new?" she muttered under her breath. She followed behind the hyenas as they headed back to pride rock. 'I hope Nala and Sara make it okay.'
Sarafina and Nala made it to the gorge without any problems. " What was that about?" Nala asked confusedly. "I don't know, but something's not right.". they sat and waited for Sarabi to return. After a few minutes Nala's ears perked up. " Mom, do you hear that?" "What?" "it sounds like someone talking." After they were quiet for a while Sara heard it and they headed toward the voice. " Hey Simba," the voice said. "Simba!" Nala exclaimed then ran from where she was standing in the direction where the voice was coming. When she got there she didn't see Simba anywhere, just some guy."…we really miss you down here. It's not the same without you. Wherever you are though, I'm sure your happier there." why was he talking to himself she thought. " I know you and Mufasa are with us and will take care of us. I'll be back later." the young male then turned around and started walking towards Nala with his face down. Sarafina walked up behind Nala and saw the young lion. And then smiled in recognition. "Amani?" "Yes Maam? I was just …" he then looked up and saw Sarafina and Nala standing in front of him and smiled. " Oh wow what are you guys doin here? It's great to see you. Hey Nala! I think you've gotten a little bigger" Nala ran up to him and he bent down to butt heads with her" Hey Amani! Cool! Your mane is growing in.". Sarafina interrupted, " Amani what is going on? Why are there hyenas here?" Amani's smile turned into a frown and he once again looked down at his paws. "What's wrong?" Nala asked. Amani looked up again a tear was forming in his eye. " I hate to have to tell you this but…" he paused debating whether or not to tell them. "tell us what?" Sara asked. Amani sighed and then said, "Mufasa and Simba are dead." Sarafina and Nala gasped. Nala started breathing heavy shaking her head as if to shake the thought out of her head. Amani continued, "they died in a stampede here in the gorge. Simba was playing down here when it started and then Mufasa tried to save him but he died also. I often come down here to just talk to Simba and Mufasa even though I know they can't hear me." Nala started to cry heavily and sarafina wanted to cry but she had to stay strong for Nala. But eventually she gave in also. " I'm so sorry." Amani said as he walked over and put his paw on Nala's shoulder. "when did it happen?" Sara asked trying to clear her throat of the lump that was in there. " The day before the drought started. This drought has been going on for to long. We've had no rain at all." he paused for a while then started again, "For what it's worth Nala, Simba always thought about you. He missed you very much." Nala stopped crying for a while and lifted her head from Amani's shoulder, then she felt a large lump in her throat. Her mind went back to the few days before the drought. And she remembered when her mother kept asking her if she wanted to visit Simba, and she said that they would visit after the drought. Even after the drought she didn't want to visit. She didn't have a chance to say good-bye to her best friend and now she would never see him again because of her own selfishness. All that time he was waiting for her and she never even gave a second thought about it. She once again started crying harder then before. This didn't make Amani feel any better and he started to cry with her. Sarafina stopped crying a little and asked Amani after a few moments of silence, " Amani why are there hyenas in the pridelands?" Amani sniffled a little and answered, " Well, the day scar told us that they were dead and he took over the throne, he invited the hyenas to live us in the same lands. Without our consent. It's bad enough that the pridelands are in bad condition but now we have to feed the hyenas as well as ourselves. They don't let us stop hunting half the time they don't even finish what they have us kill. That is why there aren't very many herds here anymore. They are all leaving for better land." Sarafina was confused now. "But why would scar let them live here. He knows lions and hyenas don't get along." she asked. " You got me there. He treats them better then he treats us.". just then they heard some voices coming from around the corner behind Amani. "you have to go now. I'm sorry you can't stay. Scar has the hyenas trained to keep out all visitors. If they see you I don't know what they'll do." Amani said quietly as he pushed Nala gently away from his arm. Sara nodded and replied quietly " Good bye then. If you ever need anything come find us. Head out east and passed the hills. You should find us there." Amani nodded and with that Sara and Nala ran back from the way they came, out of the gorge and on toward home.
*********************************************
Nala and Sara made their way home safely. When they got home everything was exceptionally quiet. When they found Tauna he had a forlorn look on his face. When he looked up he saw that Nala was crying also. Not knowing why she was crying he nuzzled his daughter and then asked Sara, " what's wrong with Nala?" "When we went to visit Pride rock we found out that Mufasa and Simba were killed in an accident a few months ago. The pridelands are in terrible condition I wish there was something we could do for them. Why is everyone else so sad?" She asked in reply. " I'm afraid we have suffered a tragedy also. While you were gone Delila was killed. When the lionesses went out hunting Delila went also. When she tried to bring down the kill but it kicked and hit her in the neck. It got away but Delila wasn't as fortunate. It broke her neck, she died instantly." All of this was to much for Sara and Nala. " where's Kaseko?" Asked sarafina. "He's in his cave. he refuses to talk to anyone. He's taking this very hard. Maybe he will talk to Nala. Maybe you should go see him." Tauna suggested. Nala had calmed down a little but was still crying and made her way to Kaseko's cave.
Kaseko was in his cave but he was not crying. He couldn't. instead he was mentally scolding himself. The last thing he had said to his mother was no and he yelled at her. He knew his mom would forgive him but just as with his father he would honor his mothers last wish. He would allow himself to become engaged to Nala and carry out their plan from there. Just then he heard someone coming toward him he turned around and saw that it was Nala. " Hey." she said quietly. "Hi." he replied " I'm so sorry about your mother. I know how you feel. I just found out that my best friend died too." "Thanks but I don't need your pity." he replied annoyed. Then he hit his head with his paw and scoffed 'bad answer' he thought. If he was going to do what his mother had asked of him this was not going to do it. "I'm sorry. I'm just a little upset is all. And I sorry about your friend." he told her. " I understand and thank you. I'll leave if you want to be alone for a while." " No it's alright I could use some company right now. You probably do too." he responded. " yeah I guess we do sort of need each other right now. "
***********************************************
Well there's part two. Part three will bring surprise reunions and some more unwanted guests