Blind Faith

Cliche title, but oh well...if anyone as any better ideas, let me know!

Background: It's inevitable that Zinani will go blind, but Kovu refuses to believe it. Kitoko knows that Zinani will find a way to avoid her escorts. But when it happens, will Kovu accept it and give up the throne?

Disclaimer: Zinani, Kioni, Amalie, Kitoko, Raimi and any other character that happens to pop out of my head and into this story are (c) to me! So don't use them without my permission please.

Chapter 1: Contemplating

The grasses were tall, and swept across the vast open plain in effortless sweeps. It was fall, the dry season and the lack of water was turning the grass a shade of yellow tan. It was only the beginning of the dry season, so the ground was only beginning to dry out and crack.

Kitoko sighed as she walked through them, feeling the hardening ground beneath her paws. She sighed deeply. Kovu still refused to accept the fact that his daughter was going to go blind. Shaking her head, Kitoko pondered the thought for a while. It didn't bother her that Zinani was going to go blind. The thing that bothered her the most was the fact that she would still be a cub.

If she was an adult lion, it wouldn't be so bad. It would still be bad, but not as bad as her being a cub. How could the Kings do that to her? Take away her cubhood? Sighing once more, Kitoko felt a tear slip down her cheek as she raised her head to the sky and voiced, "Why?" Everything seemed so wierd.

There was a rustle in the grass behind her and the queen appeared. Kiara would never make a huntress, Kitoko noted. She smiled. "What's on your mind?" Kitoko only shook her head. But Kiara knew her friend all too well. "We can hope," she offered.

Kitoko shook her head. "Kiara, you know as well as I do that there's no way around it. It's the king's will, although I don't know why." Kitoko shook her head. "She's only a cub..." Kiara nodded.

Sighing, the queen said, "In my heart I know you're right, but I just don't want to believe you," Kitoko nodded. She understood. If she had had a vision of Amalie going blind, she couldn't say she would want to believe it either.

"I must be going, I want to see Zinani," Kiara said turning.

"Hi Mom!" it was Zinani. Kitoko's ears tipped back as she watched Kiara. Her ears laid flat against her head and her eyes narrowed as fear filled them.

"Zinani! What're you doing all alone?" She near yelled. Her voice squeaked as it reached a high. Fear was pulsing through the young lioness.

"Relax Kiara, she just got a little ahead of me," Lean and scruffy, Vitani came in at just the right moment. Kiara, upon seeing Vitani, instantly relaxed. The hair along her back fell back into place and her eyes and ears returned to normal. She licked her daughter's forehead and sighed.

"Don't scare me like that." she said. Kitoko walked over and rubbed her head under Kiara's chin and purred.

"I'll be going," she said, nodding to Vitani.

"Oh, wait, aunt Kitoko, where's Amalie?" Zinani asked. Kitoko stopped, paw held in mid-air as she turned. She smiled at the young cub, knowing her and Amalie were best friends.

"She's with Raimi at the moment, but I'll tell her you want to play." Zinani smiled. Kitoko then turned and walked off.

The cub was so optimistic and so carefree. It broke Kitoko's heart at the thought of her going blind. She hoped the cubs optimistic attitude would help. She continued through the grasslands, not heading anywhere in particular. She stopped when she reached Rafiki's tree.

Shaking her head, the lioness quickly climbed up the tree and then stopped. "Rafiki," she said as she was encompassed in a hug from the old baboon.

"I knew you would be coming soon," He said, laughing. Kitoko knew better than to ask how, for he would eventually tell her. "You have been troubled, no?" Kitoko nodded. Again, she needn't ask. "There's nothing you can do Kitoko, you just 'ave to let history take it's course."

"But it's so unfair, why must it be when she's a cub?" Kitoko began to pace, unable to stop herself.

"You would have to ask the kings." He said. Kitoko nodded.

"How can I do that?" she asked, fully intending to do so. The old baboon laughed.

"The Kings have to reveal themselves to you, not the other way around. Just because you want questions answered, does not mean da kings will reveal themselves to you every time." Rafiki explained.

Kitoko sighed. "I see," She let out a long breath as she sat down.

"Do not fret Chil', all will be alright, you will see." Rafiki said, resting a weathered hand on her shoulder. A pulse ran through her when his hand briefly brushed the pawprint.

Immediately Kitoko rose, growling deeply. It was the pawprint that started it. "I'm going to talk to Raimi," she said. He had a way of making her feel better. Rafiki nodded and then watched as she climbed down off of the tree and bounded off.

"Mom!" Amalie yelled as Kitoko found them. Amalie pounced into her mother's waiting arms. Kitoko hugged her daughter close and then licked her cheek.

"Hello my little one," she said, smiling. Amalie snuggled against her mother. "Zinani was wanting to play with you dear," She said. Amalie smiled.

"Ok, do you know where she's at?"

"Last time I saw her, she was in the grasslands near Rafiki's tree, why don't you go wait for her by the watering hole and I'll roar to tell her where you're at?" Amalie nodded.

"Ok mom," she said, running off. Kitoko roared as loud as she could, sending the message. She then turned back and rubbed up against Raimi.

Her mate smiled and licked her. "Something wrong?" he asked. Kitoko sat beside him and sighed.

"A lot of things," She said, shaking her head. Raimi only nodded.

"I know, but Kitoko, you've got to stop thinking about it so much. No offense, but you're beginning to obsess over it."

"Raimi, I know, I know, but I can't help it. It's so unfair, I mean, she's just a cub! And it annoys me that Kovu won't accept it. It's going to happen, no matter what anyone thinks. Another thing is the not knowing," Raimi cocked his head to the side.

"Not knowing?" He asked.

"Yes, we all know it's going to happen, but we don't know when."

"Ah," Raimi nodded. "I know you feel, but there's nothing we can do. It's not your fault Kitoko." Kitoko nodded as she leaned against him.