Chapter 5
The atmosphere inside the den was quiet. No one was lively and ready to go, as they had been only a day before. The wind blew through the savannah, and even from inside the den, the rustle of the grass could be heard, for no lion moved. All sat or lay inside the den, moping and waiting, for Kovu and Kiara had not returned yet.
Near the entrance sat Kitoko, her ears tipped slightly back as she surveyed the plains. In the distance she could see Rafiki's tree, but there was no way of telling what was going on there. Her tail slid from side to side and her shoulders and body were beginning to ache. There was tension in the air, and her whole body was tense from the feeling of impending doom. What little friendship she had with Kovu had been shattered the minute Zinani went over the cliff.
He'd never forgive her that was for sure. A few tears slid down her cheeks, darkening her rust colored fur. She scanned the savannah once more, hoping to see a sign of them returning, but no such luck. The clouds were beginning to darken and a few raindrops began to fall. Kitoko sighed. Then she pinned her ears tightly against her head and burst forward, running off.
She growled low and deep inside her throat. The rain washed over her, dampening her coat and soaking through to her skin. But she didn't care. The rainwater mixed with her tears, somewhat blinding her. She didn't know where she was going, nor did she care. All she knew was that she needed to get away, to clear her head.
After a while she began to slow down, her sides were beginning to burn and the muscles in her legs were starting to cramp. Still she ran on, refusing to stop. But her body would not let her continue, after a minute or so she collapsed, gasping for air.
She looked up at the darkened sky, at all the kings and queens of the past and growled. She was too exhausted to move. Instead she lay, letting the rain wash over her. She started crying once more, great big sobs that shook her whole body. She cried for everything, for Kiara and Kovu, who now had a blind daughter. She cried for Zinani, who would live the rest of her life without seeing anything. She cried over the fact that she'd been born, over Sarabi's death, over anything and everything that had gone wrong in her and Pride Rock's past…
Kovu and Kiara returned to Pride rock shortly after Kitoko did. It was obvious Kiara had been crying, for the fur under her eyes and down her cheeks was darkened and wet. Rafiki carried Zinani in and set her down in Kiara's waiting paws. No one asked any questions about her injuries, for everyone knew about them.
Rafiki turned and walked over to Kitoko. "I must talk wid da kings, but your time as Queen is coming." With that he gently laid a hand on her shoulder, nodded and then left. Kitoko watched him go and shook her head. She turned back to Kiara.
Kioni and walked over and snuggled up to his mother. Kovu sat nearby. No tears had been shed on his part, but the anger and hatred was very clear in his eyes. Kitoko sighed; it was going to be hard, taking her place as Queen, but she knew she had to do it. It was the will of the Kings…
Night fell and Zinani began to come to. Her eyes fluttered open and shut for a few minutes, but all she saw was darkness. She opened them and held them open for a while, knowing that the darkness would fade and she would be able to make out the shapes and forms of the lions around her. But the darkness didn't fade. All she could see was darkness, pure and utter darkness. After a moment the small cub screamed in fright.
Kiara woke in an instant. "Zinani, shh, shh, it's ok, what's wrong?" She asked, licking her daughter's head and nuzzling her.
"I can't see! Mom I can't see!" the cub cried. Kiara felt her eyes begin to water and knew the tears were coming again.
"Shh, baby, are you sure?" she asked, hoping, praying, that by some miracle Zinani could see…
"I can't see anything mom!" Zinani near screeched. A few teardrops fell down Kiara's muzzle. She looked around in front of her and Zinani. She could see just fine and reality hit her like a brick…
"Oh Zinani…" she hugged her daughter close and nuzzled her. Zinani turned and cuddled against her mother's chest. "I'm so sorry…"
"Mom…why can't I see?" Zinani cried.
Kiara rested her head against her daughter's back and sighed. "When you fell over that cliff, you hit your head…and well it caused you to go blind…"
A/N: I hope that's good enough for you all, I'll have the next chapter up sometime soon!