Alrighty then, here is the last chapter for you all before I leave for the Disney Internship. Like I said in the last chapter, I hope to update again sometime in September and if that does not happen I apologize in advance. Now time to thank my reviewers.
Bounding Jackalope: Yup Zira is now here though I don't think I am having her do much until Simba gets back which will then have a good explanation as to why she was banished. Thanks for the review, hope you like this chapter.
SunRise19: I hope we get to that chapter soon, its only two chapters away though I am wondering what month that will be updated in. Thank God for my lap top though. Hope you like this chapter.
Gryfffinrose: Heh I can tell you like Zira, you'll see more of her though in later chapters, Scar's mostly ruling now. Also I was wondering what happened to Sasha, I hope you did not ditch her. Well any way hope you like this chapter.
Nala5: That whole thing with Scar falling in love with Nala is something I am not into so don't worry about him doing anything to her. Any way thanks for the review and I hope you like this chapter.
Lordwindwalker: Sure I would like the link but I probably won't join until next year when I get back from Florida. I am also sorry about what happened at the long patrol forums but if I were you, you should have just ignored everyone's rude remarks and moved on. I got mad at Bladeswift once for acting like I was ignorant but I did not get too annoyed by it since it will be forgotten eventually. Any way thanks for the review and hope you like this chapter.
Pichooi: Thanks for the review, I'm glad you liked it; I hope you enjoy this next chapter.
MorpheusDreamer: Thanks for the review glad you liked how I introduced Zira and don't worry I understood what you meant about my early chapters. And truthfully as I continue on with it, I feel that I have a connection that helps me get slightly better at it. Yeah it's kinda weird if you think about it. And was I right about Imani being Kovu's father in your last chapter or was I reading that wrong, I got confused after reading everyone else's reviewers. Hope you like this chapter.
Space Spy: That's okay that it took you a while to review, I always welcome new reviewers since some have a different thought about the story than others. I'm glad you liked this chapter and you may have to stay on the edge of your seat for a while to get that part where Zazu lives in the cage since I will be quite busy soon. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Now time for chapter 22.
Ever since Zira arrived the pride lands seemed to get worse. The rainy season failed to arrive and the dry season came with very little relief. The air now felt like a toaster and after the long hunts that the lionesses took, they would often return empty pawed and exhausted while Scar yelled at them for not working hard enough.
What bothered most of the lionesses the most was that Zira never helped them on a hunt, she usually stayed behind with Scar where they both pampered each other and acted like the pride lands were in the best shape ever. I knew that one of these days they would have a cub, how it would fair in this horrible place would be an interesting concept.
Most of the cubs that were born in the pride now would either come out stillborn, miscarriaged or unhealthy and those would not live for more than a weak either. Most of them were Scar's cubs too, born from a lioness who had enough guts to actually mate with him. Scar would show how proud he was to be a father when that lioness was giving birth, but once he saw how it was dead or scrawny looking, he immediately turned away and acted like it was none of his business.
The hyenas seemed to have multiplied well though; I began to see more cubs that grew into adults who stole most of the lioness's dinner. They would often get into arguments over food while others watched and cheered their friends on and if one of the hyenas was killed in the fight, the hyenas would then set upon him and eat him.
It was a truly vile sight one minute there was a hyena the next minute there was nothing but bones. Even the dying lion cubs had no rest. I remember seeing one cub who had just been born a few days before. I was sitting in my tree alone when Nadira walked up with the tiny and skinny cub in her mouth.
"Zazu how many days is it to Tahir's pride?" she asked sadly while the poor cub continued to mewl helplessly at her feet.
"Last time I checked it was four days, I think he may have moved farther now," I said.
Nadira put her head down and sadness and looked at her pitiful cub which she did not even name, knowing it would die sooner or later.
"I wanted to give her to a lioness in that pride, I hoped that she could raise it better than I could, I am out of milk already and I know she cannot make it another day without nourishment," she said.
"Madame if I could carry her I would take her for you since it is much faster by air, but I know she is too big for my small claws," I said.
"I understand that also," said Nadira who then sat there and contemplated, that is until five hyenas showed up, one of them was Shenzi.
"Hey there girl, I hear you have a cub you want to take off your paws," said Shenzi.
Nadira growled as she held the cub close while the hyenas began to laugh.
"There is no way I am giving you my cub, I decide who gets to keep her," said Nadira.
"But look at that thing, I bet it won't survive another minute so what's the point of trying to protect it," said another hyena.
"Because I still love her, until she dies I am not leaving her," said Nadira while she growled at Shenzi who was uncomfortably close to her.
Suddenly one hyena attacked Nadira from behind, causing her to turn around and strike the hyena with her claws while Shenzi grabbed the crying cub. Nadira immediately forgot about the hyena that attacked her and ran after Shenzi.
Nadira jumped on Shenzi and caused her to drop the cub which was instantly grabbed by another hyena. Nadira ran after the other hyena and this time sank her teeth deep into the hyena's throat once she caught up with it. The hyena attacked back and so did two others while another one ran off with the cub.
Nadira roared with rage and shook the hyena that she sank her teeth into as hard as she could. I could hear the beast whimper for a minute and then become quiet. But Nadira did not care; she continued to shake him violently while the rest of the pack attacked her. It was truly a horrific sight and I could tell that Nadira was loosing.
She tried to make a run for it but was soon attacked by more hyenas that came to watch and had now decided to help. She was quickly buried under a mountain of those horrible vermin and I knew there was no way out for her. I wanted to help her but I knew there was nothing I could do. I thought about flying off to get Sarabi so she could help but that was after I heard Shenzi call to the hyenas that were in the pile.
"Alright you all get off her, I think she's had enough, let her die a slow death and then we can come back for her carcass later," she said with a laugh.
The hyenas all cleared and began to laugh as they walked away. Once they were far enough away, I flew down to check on Nadira and see if she was alright to even make it back to Pride Rock.
I discovered at once that it would be impossible, already a pool of blood formed around her, her side was ripped apart and one of her legs was badly mangled, and both her eyes were half shut, I knew she did not have much time.
"Nadira?" I said as I got closer.
Nadira remained motionless and silent for a moment and then suddenly spoke. "My cub, where is she, where is my cub?" she asked in a most frightening tone.
"I'm afraid the hyenas took her, she is long gone now," I said.
Nadira took a deep breath and sighed. "I knew Mufasa should have let Kamau stay longer, then he would have fought Scar for leadership of the pride and won too," she said with hope in her voice.
"Oh but I know he is ruling a wonderful place now, full of green and animals of every color. He was ready to leave, he wanted his own life," I said as I patted her paw that had the least amount of blood on it.
"Yeah I bet my cub is there now, in a wonderful green pasture, with food aplenty and she is not skinny and she has a name too," said Nadira before giving a heavy cough that brought a large amount of blood out of her mouth.
"And what name would that be?" I asked.
"Aisha," said Nadira with a small smile.
I smiled back, it was a good name for her, it meant "she is life" which was something her mother hoped for her now that she was gone. We were both silent for a moment as I watched her chest rise up and down slowly, she tried to move her paws a few times, but each of those times brought pain and crying.
"You know I would really like to join Aisha in that beautiful pasture, I bet she would like to have her mother there with her," Nadira finally said.
"Oh Nadira, I'm am so sorry your life had to end this way," I said sadly, tears were now running down my face because I knew she died trying to save the one she loved.
"It's okay Zazu, some are born to live to be old and wise while some live to do something right, just like I did trying to protect my cub," said Nadira as her voice slowly turned into a whisper.
"I bet Aisha is proud of you too," I said.
Nadira gave me one last weak smile before finally closing her eyes for the last time; I knew her spirit was now in a beautiful place full of happiness and no suffering. I stood there for a moment wishing that her body would just decompose in peace but I sensed the hyenas were watching ready to finish what was left of her. Finally I took to the air and flew back to Pride Rock and to deliver that sad news to Scar.
The news of Nadira and her cub's death saddened everyone in the pride. They remembered her as a kind hearted lion that was strict but loving with her cubs. I knew it would be hard for the pride to forget her since she told great jokes and helped other lionesses with their problems when Sarabi was not around.
Sarabi decided to go pay her respects to her but by the time we arrived to do so, all that remained was a small red stain where she had fallen, a victim to hungry hyenas.
But life had to go on and I had to do my usual job which was to talk to Tafari who was still amazingly alive even though so many hungry carnivores were after him.
I met him in the usual spot two days after Nadira's death, though now the water hole was nothing but a dried up mud puddle where a few bones were scattered from dying creatures that needed a drink. I waited for quite a long time for Tafari to show up and at first I thought he had left or died without me knowing, that was until I saw his skinny figure emerge from a small tree a few feet away.
I watched him as he got closer, his eyes looked sunken and his ribs were showing, I could tell he was having the same problems as the pride was having.
"Hello Tafari," I said quietly to him.
Tafari was silent for a moment before he finally spoke. "I'm leaving," he said.
It came as no surprise to me; I could sense he wanted to find a new home where food was lush and plentiful and where he did not have to worry about hungry hyenas.
"Be careful then, I wish you the best of luck," I told him.
"Thank you, I will always remember you, don't worry about that. I've found out more stories working for you than I have ever wanted to, but that was what made my life enjoyable," said Tafari.
"Where will you go any way?" I asked.
"To the north, some finches told me that there is an oasis two weeks away, with lovely greens and a beautiful waterfall. They say no predator lives there and it is quite safe," said Tafari.
"Sounds wonderful, I would go with you, but my place is here," I said.
Tafari gave me the look of sadness in his eyes, like I was making a stupid choice since life here now seemed unbearable.
"You actually want to stay here even though everything of beauty is gone and that Scar is just a useless king?" he asked.
"But I have friends here, so many memories as well, my home is here and I intend to stay until I cannot take it any more," I said.
Tafari gave a sigh of sadness and bent his head down to eye level with me. "I see you don't like taking risks, they are what make you strong, they are what keep you from feeling lost and not knowing what your next strategy should be," said Tafari.
I looked back into his large brown eyes that were shaded by large eyelashes something I never really mentioned about and had given him a very tired look, especially at that moment.
"I do like taking risks, but the thought of leaving the place I have lived with most of my life is too much to bear, I saw cubs begin their life here and grow up, I have seen death in the eyes of an old lion and in my best friend, I like to keep my memories where they are, plus I like my job," I said.
Tafari sighed and shook his head, he knew I was being stubborn and there was no way that could change me. "So you like snooping in others private conversations where the slightest rumor could send a flood of anger and regret," he said.
I knew he was right and I had no other way to retaliate with his argument. I had been snooping in others private affairs but it was only to give the king information on what was happening in the savanna, not to give anyone misery, though I seemed to have given that to others too. All of a sudden I felt like a horrible parasite that clutched to his host and would not let go. I thought all about the times I had told Mufasa about the wildebeests taking over the waterhole so none of the buffalo could get cool, or the times I got the cheetahs in trouble because I had accused them of playing a game in a zebra herd and caused the zebras to stampede, I still don't know who started that.
"I'm sorry Tafari," I said in a very sad voice that caused tears to fall down my face.
"So will you join me and get away from the life of a snooper?" he asked.
I shook my head. "My place is still here, I'm sorry Tafari but maybe one day I will take a vacation and find you again, or if it gets worse I will find you, so I must say goodbye to you for now," I said.
Tafari just nodded and walked off but then turned around to say something. "Just so you know, I have lived here my whole life as well, it's a hard decision to make leaving this place but it's for the better, since I am getting old and the condition that this land is in, I doubt that I will ever return," he said.
Then with the flick of his tail, the lone giraffe began his exit out of the pride lands, I hoped he would have a better life without any misery. I watched him go through the brown savanna until he was nothing but a long line in the distance. Once he was out of sight, I began my search for food, something that was beginning to get more time consuming and harder as the year went on. The entire time I hunted, I thought about Tafari and his thoughts about leaving and I kept wondering if that would ever happen to me.
A/N: Well there's a nice way of ending a chapter before I go to Disney World. I hope you all enjoyed that and thought it was okay because I had some trouble with the last few lines of dialogue and stuff. I hope you all review and I will see you all again someday soon with a brand new chapter that will hopefully be very intense. Well see you all later.