Three years passed and slowly but surely all cubs on both sides of the savanna and desert grew bigger. At sunrise coalition, Nala was becoming quite the hunter. She would join her mother everyday on the hunt and would try to bring down a kill of her own. Kaseko grew bigger also. He showed the beginnings of a mane, had taught himself how to hunt small prey, and all in all did pretty good for himself, for a lion who was orphaned. The lionesses watched over him but no one ever took full responsibility. They still felt something was wrong with the boy but never touched the subject. Kaseko still never talked much to the others, but he still had a fairly good relationship with Nala, a real one. Not one that he was acting, but he honestly kind of liked Nala, despite his hatred for her father. For some reason, he didn't understand, he at times found himself to be envious when the other male cubs, Anwar and Jabilo, would play games with Nala. She found nothing wrong but he didn't want them to play with her, each time he saw them playing together, even if there were other females playing also, he would make up an excuse to pull Nala out. This marriage thing probably wouldn't be so bad. There was just one thing that was in the way.
Nala enjoyed Kaseko's company. He helped her not feel so down on herself about Simba's death. But she knew that Kaseko would never fully replace Simba. But she did care a great deal about Kaseko. She loved that he had a sort of darkness about him. Not an evil one but a mysterious one, one that she wouldn't mind trying to understand. Despite the countless warnings that the other cubs gave her, when her mother gave he the news of the betrothal, she was ecstatic. she couldn't be happier. She really liked him, but there was still something that was bothering her. He never really got along with her father. With the news of the betrothal in place Tauna decided that he would teach Kaseko what it means to be king since he had no father figure. But these lessons always left Tauna worrying about the well being of his daughter. Whenever Kaseko was away from Nala and with her father he always argued with him. They would disagree on almost every issue. Whenever there was a problem within the pride Tauna would address the issue and then bring it to Kaseko's attention to see how he would handle it. Kaseko always gave answers that were way two extreme for the situation. And whenever Tauna tried to correct him, Kaseko would continue to argue until his point was proven. This irritated the king but he would do what he could since he knew what he meant to Nala, and tried to understand Kaseko. He couldn't.
One day, as dusk approached, the lioness had just finished a successful hunt and after they ate headed back home. Nala stayed back, and sat on top of a boulder thinking. She watched as the sky went from blue to a hue of orange and pink. Even though it had been three years she still mourned Simba's death. She still admonished herself for not visiting when she had the chance. She sniffled as a few tears rolled down her face. Sensing Nala's sorrow, Sarafina joined her daughter's side.
"Nala, are you alright?" Sarafina asked, nuzzling her daughter.
"I'm fine mother. It's just…," Nala paused and sighed, "I miss Simba and Mufasa so much. It's as if it just happened yesterday."
"I know dear. I know it still hurts but you have Kaseko now. You said yourself he's your new best friend. Simba would want you to move on. He's probably very happy for you."
"Kaseko will never fully replace Simba! Yes I care for him but he's not Simba. I just wish I could see him again. I would want him at my betrothal announcement to the kingdom, my marriage ceremony. I would want him there like best friends should, and I at his. But now I can't and I didn't take the chance to see him when I did." Nala sobbed. She raised a paw to her face to wipe away the tears. Like any mother, Sarafina hated to see Nala crying like this. Then sara had an idea.
"Nala remember when we visited pride rock?" Sara asked.
"yes." Nala sniffled.
"Well remember when we found Amani and we thought he was talking to himself, but he said he was talking to Simba. Maybe you should do that. It would make you feel closer and maybe Simba is still waiting for you talk to him. You won't see him physically but you can feel him in spirit."
"Maybe your right mom. We will always be best friends even though he's not here. I'm sure he forgives me." Nala replied hopefully.
"your welcome dear. Are you coming?" Sarafina asked as she rose to walk.
"Not yet. I need to do something first." Sara smiled and nodded and walked on home.
Nala looked up at the sky and saw that the stars were exceptionally brilliant tonight. Maybe Simba was there, or Mufasa. A cool wind blew past her. She closed her eyes and concentrated. She felt something, like a surge of unseen power, and somehow she could tell it was not Simba. She opened her eyes and still felt aura of power. "Mufasa?" she said. A cool wind blew again, rustling the savanna grass. This was a start she cared for Mufasa like a second father. She could talk to him. She opened her mouth talk but she was lost for words. She was upset now. She couldn't even talk to the person who cared for her and who she owed so much to. She sat there an realized the melody the sounds of the night made. The wind that was blowing, chirps of crickets, the grass rustling, trickle of water on pebbles from a small stream, and the chirp of small bird nestling in to their nests. Together they helped her feel a little at ease and she was able to put her feelings into words.
How difficult it is to try and say good-bye How I miss you. Who will make me laugh the way that you used to how I miss you
You live in all my thoughts I Want to see you but I cannot This good-bye burns inside and there's no telling how much I've cried how I miss you
Never will I forget What would I would give to see you here with my eyes.
I Want to hear your voice but I don't and it makes cry how I miss you
But now that your gone,
I feel as if I can't go on,
My actions created the guilt I hold,
and there is nothing that will console me.
I'm sorry
"I'm sorry." She repeated as she quietly sobbed a little bit more before leaving. A strong draft of a sort of numinous wind blew around her and carried her words across the savanna, the desert, and to the ears of a young rogue prince in the jungle.
Simba lay on a small rock overlooking a pond. He looked into the pond and stared at his reflection. He had changed a lot in three years. His mane was starting to grow out, he was bigger, and all the horseplay with Timon, Pumbaa, and Amani had caused his muscles to build up. Even though he looked a little different he was still the same Simba on the inside. He got homesick once in a while though even with Amani there. He always worried about the pride, debating whether or not he should ever return. Amani had his heart set on returning. Amani could return already if he wanted to. He was already mature enough to take on Scar, but one lion was not enough to take on Scar, his new pride, and the hyenas. Amani was already physically mature. His voice deepened his full mane graced his head which sat atop his muscular body. The years of playing mango football with Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba made his muscles fill out his fur which had lost it's cubby softness. He was pretty much an adult just not intellectually. He was still a cub at heart but he knew when to be serious. Amani could have very well left and to take over the throne, but he didn't. He wanted Simba to be able to take his rightful place as king even if that meant waiting three more years till Simba turned sixteen and was physically mature. And besides if he waited; Diallo, Kobe, and Essian would already be able bodied also and that would be more strength on their defense. But until that time Simba and Amani would have to stay in the jungle away from the pride.
"I wonder what everyone is doing right now?" Simba thought aloud. It was already quite late in the evening. The others were already asleep. Simba looked up at the night sky. He thought about his father. Where was he? He Said he would always be with him. But he wasn't. if only he could have a sign, something to tell him Mufasa was there. Simba rested his head on his and stared off into space. A cool breeze passed rustling the grass. Then he heard…a voice. A female voice that was vocalizing. Simba stood up and looked around and saw nobody. There were no females around here, not even any other animals. And the animals that did come through usually came and left or were a meal for Amani and Simba. And as suddenly as it started the voice was gone. "Probably just the wind." Simba concluded.
He lay back down and looked around without moving his head. The voice started again. He looked down at the water and noticed that rings were appearing in the water. The rings then turned into small waves and in them a golden brownish form started to materialize. He sat up and lowered his head near the water. He stared at the form until it became clearer. He pulled his head back when he saw a face other then his own in the reflection. A young lioness was staring back at him smiling.
"Nala?" he whispered. The reflection stayed smiling. He smiled a little bit but then the reflection started to fade.
"I'm sorry." said the voice. Then a breeze came again and the lioness was gone. Simba pulled back and shook his head. He even scratched himself with his claw to make sure he was awake. The image stuck in his mind and he went to find Amani. Amani was fast asleep in a misshapen tree when Simba found him. Simba jumped on the tree and tugged at Amani's ear.
"Hey, hey, hey what's the big idea. Why ain't you asleep yet!" Amani exclaimed.
"Sorry, but I just had a vision!" Simba exclaimed.
"Sure ya did. Your just tired."
"I'm Serious. I was at the pond and was about to go to sleep when I heard this voice singing, but there was no one around. So I lay back down and looked in the water and I saw a lioness's face."
Amani became interested and sat up and asked, "What did she look like?"
"She had greenish-bluish eyes, and her fur was a creamy sort of color."
"Kinda like Nala had?"
"yeah! As a matter of fact I thought it was Nala too. I said her name and she just smiled at me. Then before her face faded away she said "I'm sorry". but for what?"
Amani thought for a while. What he described sounded a lot like Nala and she was the only green eyed lioness he knew. But why would she say I'm sorry? And why would she appear in such a way unless she was…dead. "No that can't be."
"What? you don't think it was Nala."
"No. actually I think it was Nala but why would she come to you like that?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well Nala didn't come to you physically, she came to you umm in spirit."
"yeah so what's your point?"
"My point is that Nala had an out of body experience. The only way that can happen is if-"
"Your dead!" Simba exclaimed, proud that he figured out the puzzle, but then frowned when he realized the meaning of his own words. "No. Nala can't be dead. Y- you said she came to visit you. So she can't be dead, right?"
"Yeah,But that was three years ago. I've been here since then. But calm down there has to be another explanation. Maybe you were dreaming."
"No!! I was awake I know I was." Simba stuck out his arm to show Amani where he scratched himself on purpose. "Look! I even cut myself to see if I was dreaming or not."
"Well, there has to be another explanation." Amani insisted.
"but you said yourself the only way she could have done that was if she were dead!"
"No you said "dead".
Simba was getting nervous. He started pacing back and forth, trying to think of another reason.
"Will ya stop doin' that! It's annoying me!"
"Sorry look I'm tired. I'm gonna go to bed. Seeya in the morning."
"okay, we'll figure it out in the morning."
"No don't even worry about it. Maybe I was dreaming. Who knows." Simba walked off towards the pond to go to sleep. He knew he wasn't dreaming, he just didn't want Amani to think he was going crazy. He prayed that nothing happend to Nala.
One day, as dusk approached, the lioness had just finished a successful hunt and after they ate headed back home. Nala stayed back, and sat on top of a boulder thinking. She watched as the sky went from blue to a hue of orange and pink. Even though it had been three years she still mourned Simba's death. She still admonished herself for not visiting when she had the chance. She sniffled as a few tears rolled down her face. Sensing Nala's sorrow, Sarafina joined her daughter's side.
"Nala, are you alright?" Sarafina asked, nuzzling her daughter.
"I'm fine mother. It's just…," Nala paused and sighed, "I miss Simba and Mufasa so much. It's as if it just happened yesterday."
"I know dear. I know it still hurts but you have Kaseko now. You said yourself he's your new best friend. Simba would want you to move on. He's probably very happy for you."
"Kaseko will never fully replace Simba! Yes I care for him but he's not Simba. I just wish I could see him again. I would want him at my betrothal announcement to the kingdom, my marriage ceremony. I would want him there like best friends should, and I at his. But now I can't and I didn't take the chance to see him when I did." Nala sobbed. She raised a paw to her face to wipe away the tears. Like any mother, Sarafina hated to see Nala crying like this. Then sara had an idea.
"Nala remember when we visited pride rock?" Sara asked.
"yes." Nala sniffled.
"Well remember when we found Amani and we thought he was talking to himself, but he said he was talking to Simba. Maybe you should do that. It would make you feel closer and maybe Simba is still waiting for you talk to him. You won't see him physically but you can feel him in spirit."
"Maybe your right mom. We will always be best friends even though he's not here. I'm sure he forgives me." Nala replied hopefully.
"your welcome dear. Are you coming?" Sarafina asked as she rose to walk.
"Not yet. I need to do something first." Sara smiled and nodded and walked on home.
Nala looked up at the sky and saw that the stars were exceptionally brilliant tonight. Maybe Simba was there, or Mufasa. A cool wind blew past her. She closed her eyes and concentrated. She felt something, like a surge of unseen power, and somehow she could tell it was not Simba. She opened her eyes and still felt aura of power. "Mufasa?" she said. A cool wind blew again, rustling the savanna grass. This was a start she cared for Mufasa like a second father. She could talk to him. She opened her mouth talk but she was lost for words. She was upset now. She couldn't even talk to the person who cared for her and who she owed so much to. She sat there an realized the melody the sounds of the night made. The wind that was blowing, chirps of crickets, the grass rustling, trickle of water on pebbles from a small stream, and the chirp of small bird nestling in to their nests. Together they helped her feel a little at ease and she was able to put her feelings into words.
How difficult it is to try and say good-bye How I miss you. Who will make me laugh the way that you used to how I miss you
You live in all my thoughts I Want to see you but I cannot This good-bye burns inside and there's no telling how much I've cried how I miss you
Never will I forget What would I would give to see you here with my eyes.
I Want to hear your voice but I don't and it makes cry how I miss you
But now that your gone,
I feel as if I can't go on,
My actions created the guilt I hold,
and there is nothing that will console me.
I'm sorry
"I'm sorry." She repeated as she quietly sobbed a little bit more before leaving. A strong draft of a sort of numinous wind blew around her and carried her words across the savanna, the desert, and to the ears of a young rogue prince in the jungle.
Simba lay on a small rock overlooking a pond. He looked into the pond and stared at his reflection. He had changed a lot in three years. His mane was starting to grow out, he was bigger, and all the horseplay with Timon, Pumbaa, and Amani had caused his muscles to build up. Even though he looked a little different he was still the same Simba on the inside. He got homesick once in a while though even with Amani there. He always worried about the pride, debating whether or not he should ever return. Amani had his heart set on returning. Amani could return already if he wanted to. He was already mature enough to take on Scar, but one lion was not enough to take on Scar, his new pride, and the hyenas. Amani was already physically mature. His voice deepened his full mane graced his head which sat atop his muscular body. The years of playing mango football with Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba made his muscles fill out his fur which had lost it's cubby softness. He was pretty much an adult just not intellectually. He was still a cub at heart but he knew when to be serious. Amani could have very well left and to take over the throne, but he didn't. He wanted Simba to be able to take his rightful place as king even if that meant waiting three more years till Simba turned sixteen and was physically mature. And besides if he waited; Diallo, Kobe, and Essian would already be able bodied also and that would be more strength on their defense. But until that time Simba and Amani would have to stay in the jungle away from the pride.
"I wonder what everyone is doing right now?" Simba thought aloud. It was already quite late in the evening. The others were already asleep. Simba looked up at the night sky. He thought about his father. Where was he? He Said he would always be with him. But he wasn't. if only he could have a sign, something to tell him Mufasa was there. Simba rested his head on his and stared off into space. A cool breeze passed rustling the grass. Then he heard…a voice. A female voice that was vocalizing. Simba stood up and looked around and saw nobody. There were no females around here, not even any other animals. And the animals that did come through usually came and left or were a meal for Amani and Simba. And as suddenly as it started the voice was gone. "Probably just the wind." Simba concluded.
He lay back down and looked around without moving his head. The voice started again. He looked down at the water and noticed that rings were appearing in the water. The rings then turned into small waves and in them a golden brownish form started to materialize. He sat up and lowered his head near the water. He stared at the form until it became clearer. He pulled his head back when he saw a face other then his own in the reflection. A young lioness was staring back at him smiling.
"Nala?" he whispered. The reflection stayed smiling. He smiled a little bit but then the reflection started to fade.
"I'm sorry." said the voice. Then a breeze came again and the lioness was gone. Simba pulled back and shook his head. He even scratched himself with his claw to make sure he was awake. The image stuck in his mind and he went to find Amani. Amani was fast asleep in a misshapen tree when Simba found him. Simba jumped on the tree and tugged at Amani's ear.
"Hey, hey, hey what's the big idea. Why ain't you asleep yet!" Amani exclaimed.
"Sorry, but I just had a vision!" Simba exclaimed.
"Sure ya did. Your just tired."
"I'm Serious. I was at the pond and was about to go to sleep when I heard this voice singing, but there was no one around. So I lay back down and looked in the water and I saw a lioness's face."
Amani became interested and sat up and asked, "What did she look like?"
"She had greenish-bluish eyes, and her fur was a creamy sort of color."
"Kinda like Nala had?"
"yeah! As a matter of fact I thought it was Nala too. I said her name and she just smiled at me. Then before her face faded away she said "I'm sorry". but for what?"
Amani thought for a while. What he described sounded a lot like Nala and she was the only green eyed lioness he knew. But why would she say I'm sorry? And why would she appear in such a way unless she was…dead. "No that can't be."
"What? you don't think it was Nala."
"No. actually I think it was Nala but why would she come to you like that?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well Nala didn't come to you physically, she came to you umm in spirit."
"yeah so what's your point?"
"My point is that Nala had an out of body experience. The only way that can happen is if-"
"Your dead!" Simba exclaimed, proud that he figured out the puzzle, but then frowned when he realized the meaning of his own words. "No. Nala can't be dead. Y- you said she came to visit you. So she can't be dead, right?"
"Yeah,But that was three years ago. I've been here since then. But calm down there has to be another explanation. Maybe you were dreaming."
"No!! I was awake I know I was." Simba stuck out his arm to show Amani where he scratched himself on purpose. "Look! I even cut myself to see if I was dreaming or not."
"Well, there has to be another explanation." Amani insisted.
"but you said yourself the only way she could have done that was if she were dead!"
"No you said "dead".
Simba was getting nervous. He started pacing back and forth, trying to think of another reason.
"Will ya stop doin' that! It's annoying me!"
"Sorry look I'm tired. I'm gonna go to bed. Seeya in the morning."
"okay, we'll figure it out in the morning."
"No don't even worry about it. Maybe I was dreaming. Who knows." Simba walked off towards the pond to go to sleep. He knew he wasn't dreaming, he just didn't want Amani to think he was going crazy. He prayed that nothing happend to Nala.