A/N: Hi all!
Thank you so much for reviewing; they really mean a lot! Just a few more chapters to go, thank you for all the input that I have gotten on this story! The reviews are what keep me writing! I hope you all enjoy and like this chapter, Please feel free to leave a review or email me!
A note to MorpheusDreamer: I have no intention of taking any of your characters; perhaps we got our names off the same web sight? Lol seriously, did not mean for the confusion. Also, I'd like to also say that you're, "Rafiki's Tales: Dawn," is nothing short of brilliant! I'm on chapter 6 of it, I can't wait to see what will happen and I'm as well looking forward to reading "Morning," and your current work. Everyone, Please go read MorpheusDreamer's works, they're awesome brilliant pieces!
P.S. I hope I haven't insulted anyone in posting what is up there;please know that just because I don't mention you I think your story isn't good..it would take me ages to list all the awesome brilliant authors on this sight!
Now, onto what you've been waiting for!
Please RR and enjoy!
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Chapter 3:
"Nala?"
A soft female voice awakened the queen from her slumber; blinking open her eyes, it took a few seconds for her to recognize who the speaker was.
"Tamu?"
The queen whispered just as soft as the lioness that stood in front of her;
"I know it's late," Tamu paused to take in a breath, "However may I talk to you?"
"Alright," Nala replied as she carefully arose to her paws; knowing that whatever Tamu wanted to talk about was important. The two females walked out of the cavern and down the majestic pride rock in to the savannah of the pride lands.
"I have so many memories here," Tamu said, "I have good and bad ones."
"We all do Tamu," Nala said softly.
"Now," she continued as the lionesses sat down in the long grass, "The lion that I love has asked me to leave all of this and go to his pride. Nala, I don't know if I'm ready to make that step."
"Do you love him?"
Nala questioned as Tamu sighed, "Yes Nala, I do love him."
"If you truly love him," Nala stated, "Then you would follow him anywhere."
"But my cubs…"
"They aren't your cubs Tamu," Nala stopped at the astonished expression on her friend's face, "They are Bakari's cubs as well."
"I grew up here," Tamu replied, "I had just always thought that my cubs would as well."
"When I left pride rock, I was terrified of what would happen to me, if I'd ever see my mom again, if I could hunt well for myself. As I walked from this place, I didn't say goodbye, because although I was scared of what life outside the pride lands had in store for me, I knew that I could always return if life didn't suit me out there. I was alone then, I didn't have cubs like you do, but like me, you know that there could be a better life for you and them."
"I just don't know, I love Bakari and I want what is best for my children," Tamu replied to Nala's speech, "But when you and Simba made that offer this afternoon, I can't help but think that this would be the best place for the cubs. As for taking my daughter to Bakari's land, and leaving my son here; I could not do that."
Nala exhaled as she looked at her long time friend, "Follow your heart Tamu, forget about whatever offer we made and follow your heart."
A brief moment of silence stretched between the old friends before Tamu stood up in the tall grass, "Thank you Nala, Bakari and I will talk in the morning. Thank you for always listening to me."
Nala followed Tamu back to pride rock in silence, both consumed in there own thoughts; when they reached the mouth of the cave, Nala gave Tamu a quick nuzzle.
"Whatever is meant to be, it will happen."
Nala quietly walked past Tamu and back towards her sleeping spot by Simba. As Nala dozed off, she could hear the lioness shuffle towards Bakari in the darkness of the cavern.
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A warm morning breeze softly blew in the lion's cavern the following dawn as nearly all the lions slept. However the day had already begun for Simba as he surveyed his lands from atop pride rock. The king liked nothing more than these quiet mornings; they gave him many chances to reflect and relax before the everyday hustle began. As time past and the sun grew brighter in the sky, Simba knew that a new day had officially begun in his kingdom. His realization was confirmed as Zazu flew down and said the announcement that Simba had come to know and tolerate, "Checking in, with the morning report."
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As Dawn faded in to the early light of the afternoon, four lions sat in a circle at the foot of pride rock. Bakari and Tamu sat facing the king and queen as Bakari relayed there decision.
"We've come up with a plan," Bakari began, "It is one that Tamu and I have agreed upon."
"What is it?"
Simba asked, meeting Bakari eye to eye;
"We have accepted your offer of an arranged marriage with your daughter," Bakari said, "However, Tamu and the cubs are going to my pride."
"Then," Nala spoke, "The betrothal will take place when they are adults?"
"Yes," Tamu answered, "Knowing this, I would not want to thrust my son in to a marriage with a lioness whom he has never met. That would be too awkward for the both of them."
Simba and Nala exchanged confused expressions with one another before Bakari spoke, "We thought that once the cubs grow a bit older…"
"They would still be cubs, just before adolescence starts," Tamu quickly added.
"We thought that Uzoma could come to your pride and spend a few weeks here, then come home, then come back; just so they could get to know each other."
"He would alternate between prides?"
Simba questioned as Bakari tried to make a hasty recovery, "No, we would go with him; and also bring Hasana along. We would tell them that we're just going to see your mom's pride."
"That way," Tamu said, "We wouldn't be dishonest to them, but we wouldn't mention the underlying reason. I know that when I leave this place that I am going to miss it; however if you agree to this plan, we will be able to have the best of two worlds."
"Hmmm," Simba looked at Nala before the queen nodded her head.
"It seems like a well thought out and logical plan to me," Simba smiled, "Nala and I can see this working out."
"Excellent!"
Bakari exclaimed as the couple stood and bowed to the king and queen, "Bakari, the cubs and I will leave first thing in the morning. It'll take us about two days to travel to Bakari's pride."
"Yes," Nala nodded, "I can understand why you would want to leave early."
After there discussion had ended, the four lions dispersed and went there separate ways. However, when she knew that Tamu had let her guard down, Nala followed her to her favorite spot where she had seen Tamu go many times. It was on top of a small hill, and from on top you could gaze up at the stars, or down at pride rock. As the queen followed her friend, she knew that Tamu's eyes would be on the monumental rock.
"I knew you were following me," her friend commented as Nala reclined on her back next to Tamu.
"Yeah," the queen replied.
"Tamu," Nala inquired, "Last night, you almost seemed like you weren't going to leave, why the sudden change of heart?"
The lioness flipped to her other side as she answered Nala's question, "I thought a lot about what you had said last evening, and I knew you were right. Then this morning when Bakari had come up with the plan, how could I have refused?"
"Hmmm," Nala sighed, "I see your point."
"I'm scared," Tamu softly conveyed to the queen, "But I know I'm doing the right thing; I know it in my heart."
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The next day dawned bright as Simba, Nala, Tamu, Bakari and the cubs all gathered on the boarder of the pride lands.
"So this is it," Tamu nervously smiled as her young daughter stumbled around her mother's paws.
"You'll be fine," Nala reassured as they nuzzled one another and Nala bent to give a quick nuzzle to the twin cubs.
"We'll come back," Bakari smiled as he gazed at Simba, "Thank you so much for allowing me to stay in your pride. We really appreciate it; if there's anything that I could do, you let me know."
"I will," Simba replied as Bakari picked up Uzoma and his mate picked up Hasana.
"Be careful," Nala called as the couple carrying there cubs in there mouths set a fast pace across the land.
"Come on," Simba gently coaxed Nala, "I've got to head back for the morning report and you have to organize the lionesses for the daily hunt."
"I know," Nala replied as she began to follow Simba back to there home, looking back once as she saw Tamu's golden fur vanish in the sunlight.
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