I don't own any of the animals, apart from Mageuzi (Swahili for 'revolution'), Mwenzi (Swahili for 'colleague'), Haini (Swahili for 'informer'), Ubele (Swahili for 'future'), Kikuto (Swahili for 'hyena'). I own all of the humans mentioned, including Uthisha (Zulu for teacher'), Inzalo (Zulu for 'interest').
"So that's what I looked like" Kiara asked, watching Vitani cuddle her new cub, born just a few hours earlier. Her voice was a bit hollow, mostly from the knowledge that she would never have cubs of her own, the fight with the humans had seen to that.
"You were lighter than that" Simba replied, "and a bit stockier, but otherwise, yes." The mood was more subdued as well, he considered, though that was understandable. "Are you coming over" he asked, rising.
"It's only courtesy" She replied, following.
"So" Simba asked when they were near, "do you have a name for him?"
"Actually" Vitani said, "we've talked it over" she glanced momentarily at Kovu, who nodded just perceptibly, "and we've decided to let you choose it."
"Us" Kiara asked, And Simba raised an eyebrow.
"Certainly" Vitani replied.
"Well" Kiara thought for a moment, "how about Ubele?"
"I like the sound of that" Vitani replied, "Simba?"
"I came here to agree to names" Simba said with a smile, "and I'll agree to that one."
"Ubele it is then" Kovu said.
There was a throat clearing noise behind them, and they turned to see Zazu. "The animals are beginning to arrive sire" he reported.
"Good" Simba replied, "now, there are a few rather more personal invitations so send out."
"More pers..." Zazu asked, then figured it out. "The hyenas" he asked with dismay.
"And the humans" Simba replied.
"I'm fine with the humans" Zazu replied, "but the hyenas?"
"Zazu" Simba said, "you are just delivering an invitation."
"Very well sire" Zazu said, and took off.
"And now" Simba said, returning his gaze to the others, "I think it is time for Ubele to see the sun."
"How cute" Mageuzi said, hobbling over to where Shenzi was now cuddling her new-born pup, "a boy or a girl?" She hadn't been able to use her right front leg properly since the battle months back, and had opted to have it removed. This, and the fact that she was very nearly ready to give birth herself were making movement difficult recently.
"A boy" Shenzi replied.
"Must have got that from Banzai's side" Mageuzi said, then chuckled.
"Yeah" Shenzi said, grinning. Glancing around, she saw Mwenzi Banzai and Ed waiting a little way away, with, doubtless, many more beyond the birthing den. "Okay guys" she said, "you can come and see."
"Boy or girl" Mwenzi asked, as the trio made their way over.
"Boy" Shenzi replied.
"What's his name" Banzai asked.
"I thought, Kikuto" Shenzi replied, "but I was going to give you a choice as well.
"Kikuto sounds fine" Banzai replied.
"Cute" Ed said, then looked about to say more, but instead, started scratching at the dirt floor. It had surprised them all how smart Ed actually was. He still wasn't able to say more than a few words, but he's got around that by learning to scratch symbols in the dirt, and while it wasn't quick, it could be fairly expressive.
"What's that" Shenzi asked, when she saw Ed's actions.
Mwenzi leaned over to look. "Er, hang on a moment" he said, then smiled, "oh that's it." He looked back at Shenzi and said, "Congratulations" he read, "and good luck on the midnight feedings."
"Thanks" Shenzi replied, "but don't worry, I won't be the only one who wakes up every other hour." She thought for a moment then said, "now will someone be good enough as to go and tell Haini to get up."
"You know something we don't" Mwenzi asked, giving Shenzi a sideways glance.
"Let's just call it a hunch shall we" Shenzi replied, "but I think I'm not the only one to give birth today." She glanced around, then called, "thanks Ed" as the hyena disappear out the entrance to the birthing den.
"Oh it's all very well and good saying go and give a message to the hyenas" Zazu grumbled to himself, "but does he know how many of those things would kill and me if they thought there was half a chance they wouldn't be found out?"
He was so busy grumbling in fact, that he didn't notice Haini circling not far away. "Is that you Zazu" she called.
"I mean rea..." Zazu said, then replied, "yes, I'm Zazu, is that you Haini."
"I live to serve" Haini replied in a light tone, "Shenzi thought you'd be snooping around today."
"I am delivering a personal invitation from King Simba to Matriarch Shenzi" Zazu replied in the most haughty tone he could manage.
"You want me to deliver that for you" Haini asked. She knew, though few did, that Zazu was very much afraid of hyenas.
"If you would be so good" Zazu replied, managing to hide the relief he felt.
"As good as done" Haini replied, "oh, and Shenzi gave birth this morning, and it was a boy."
"My congratulations" Zazu said curteously, "now, if you'll excuse me, I must go and see to the humans."
"Sure" Haini replied, "good luck."
"Thank you" Zazu replied, then muttered to himself, "how she can manage to do her job properly is beyond me."
It was not long before he was approaching the old baobab tree where Uthisha, and increasingly Inzalo now too, lived.
"Good morning Zazu" Inzalo said as he suddenly appeared from the grass.
"Good morning" Zazu replied, "I bring an invitat..." then heard Inzalo copying him, "...ion from king Simba." He ruffled his feathers in annoyance and said, "sometimes I wonder why I'm still of use."
"Oh, don't be worried about your job" Inzalo reassured him, smiling, "Uthisha can only foresee the big things, he has, after all, taken an apprentice."
Inzalo Uthisha called from nearby, I may not speak their language well, but my understanding lacks little, and that deserves an apology.
My apologies master Inzalo replied, I meant no disrespect.
Of course not Uthisha said, his tone gruff, but obviously put on, and perhaps next time you could try making what you say a little closer to what you mean.
Yes master Inzalo replied, then said to Zazu, "I'm sorry, my master just woke up in a mood this morning."
"And I suppose this mood has nothing to do with your referring to his age" Zazu asked, "no mind, I must be returning, good day to you."
"And to you" Inzalo replied, as Zazu took off.
"I'd expected them here sooner" Kovu said, "this is cutting it as bit close."
"They always do" Simba replied.
"Yeah" Timon replied, "they're hyenas, you can never expect them to..."
"You can never expect us to, what" Shenzi asked as she Banzai, Ed, Mageuzi and Mwenzi appeared nearby.
"Er" Timon said, trying to look innocent, "oh, nothing."
"My congratulations" Simba said.
"The same to you" Shenzi replied, She thought for a moment then said, "how did you... ...Banzai?"
"Yes" Banzai asked.
"Did you tell Haini anything else this morning" Shenzi asked, "before you sent her off?"
"Er" Banzai said thoughtfully, "yeah, I think I did."
There was a snicker from Ed, and he waved his leg about a little. "What's he doing" Kiara asked.
"He's trying to say something" Shenzi replied, "only he's not very good with words, so, uh, have you got a patch of dirt handy?"
"Sure" Kovu replied, confused, "this way."
They followed Kovu down to a small side cave with a dirt floor, wherein, Ed began to scratch at the dirt. "That's how he talks" Kovu asked, incredulous.
"Yep" Shenzi replied, "and he's quite good at it too."
"So what's he saying now" Kiara asked, unable to make sense of the symbols scratched into the dirt.
"Let's see" Shenzi said thoughtfully, then smiled, "Banzai has a mouth like a cave..."
"Hey" Banzai said, annoyed.
"...And a mind like a river" Shenzi continued, then smiled, "not only smart, but observant too."
"You're gonna to pay for that" Banzai said, shooting Ed a poisonous look.
"How did you get that out of this" Kiara asked, still looking confusedly at the scratches.
"It's a knack" Shenzi replied, "beats me where he picked it up though."
"I think I can answer that one" said a voice behind them. They all turned to see Inzalo at the mouth of the cave, smiling, "you picked a good day for the ceremony."
"We've never picked a bad one yet" Simba replied, "but how on earth would you know about where any hyena is?"
"Not just any hyena" Inzalo replied, "but I'm sure he watched several of the meetings between Rafiki and Uthisha."
"Ed" Shenzi asked, as the hyena started to scratch at the dirt again. "Hm" Shenzi said, "looks like apologies for sitting in on the meetings."
"Oh, don't worry" Inzalo replied, "they weren't secret, it wasn't really worth telling anyone else about."
"Shall we get on with it then" Kovu asked.
"A good idea" Mageuzi replied, "the sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can get back and take some weight off my paws."
"Are we all ready" Vitani asked, "I don't see Rafiki around anywhere."
"And that proves what" Timon asked.
"Good point" Vitani replied.
"Do I hear someone making disparaging remarks about me" asked Rafiki, popping up from behind a nearby rock.
"How does he do that" Banzai asked, "gives me the creeps."
"Ah, grow up" Shenzi said, "we've met a lot worse than him."
"Name one" Banzai said.
"Scar" Shenzi replied, "Zira, need I go on?"
"Point taken" Banzai said.
"Good" Shenzi said, "now come on, or we'll miss more than we already have."
The ceremony went without a hitch, but near the end Simba stood up causing everyone on the rock to look in confusion. As he moved towards the promontory, he said, "Kovu, come with me."
"What's going on" Kovu asked, as he followed Simba up the promontory.
"I am about to do something I should have done a long time ago" Simba replied cryptically.
On reaching the tip of the promontory, Simba raised his head and called, "we are here today to witness the presentation of the new prince." He waited a beat then called, "and glorious as the occasion is, the rise of a new sun every morning must be preceded by the setting of the sun the day before."
By now, some of the more intelligent animals had realised what was going on. "Since the death of my mate, and eminent queen, Nala, many months ago, I have found my position to be a great deal less certain. And with the passing of my mother, the former queen Sarabi, a mere moon ago, I have found myself unable to effectively govern these lands."
The looks of confusion on the faces of many of the assembled animals, including the lionesses, had now turned to looks of disbelief. Without noticing, Simba went on, "and so it is with a heavy heart that I announce my abdication from the throne, and the rise to king of Kovu." He then turned to Kovu and muttered, "and now it is time for you to take the mantle you have deserved for so long."
Kovu nodded, and though off-put, threw his head back and roared.