This could not get any better for the whole group as they were enjoying the hot springs in the middle of the Rwenzori mountains. Kion was sitting with Rani and his big sister, and Kovu.
All four of the human visitors were sitting in one spring of their own and enjoying a nice break from the cold mountain air. "Are you enjoying this?" asked Kion to Kiara
"Yes. this is so relaxing." Kiara replied with a sigh.
"What aout you Rani?" asked
"It's always better with you, Kion." Rani sighed, pulling him close to her. "Always."
Kiara and Kovu smiled as they saw Kion hanging out with his girlfriend. Yes, there was definitely romance between these young lions. It seemed like these two were inseparable.
For Heri the striped hyena, it looked like he was enjoying this the most. He even got one for himself and no one else. Suddenly, a raptor or what appeared to be some kind of bird appeared in the sky, and it let out a call that sounded like a mix between a crow's caw and a hawk's screeching.
The bird had to look like a raptor because of how his wingspan looked. It revealed to be a giant eagle owl soaring and hovering in the cloudy sky, and it swooped down on one of the hot springs. He landed and he landed next to Kion with his big, black eyes like a doll would have.
"There you are, Kion." said the owl. He seemed to have somewhat of a British accent "I've been looking all over for you."
"Bundi?" asked Kion, recognizing him as one of his cohorts. "It's not even night yet."
"I know. We owls prefer to hunt at night, but we can be active during the day as well." Bundi corrected him.
"Oh. What's going on?" Kion said.
"Your father asked me to tell you that Zazu will be retiring in a little while."
"Really?" asked Kion. "What makes you say that?"
"It took a bunch of persuasion," said the eagle-owl, "but the king and queen convinced Zazu to... you know... step down so that he wouldn't be able to hurt himself anymore."
"Oh. I didn't think they would talk to him about it right now." said Kiara.
"Well, poor Zazu was having some pain in his wings while he was flying." Bundi explained to them. "The more he was flying, the more painful it became for him to flap his wings."
The lions looked sympathetic and known Zazu their whole lives, especially the parents. It meant that the poor old bird wasn't going to last much longer in the coming months, or maybe even the coming weeks or days.
To lose such a great friend (no matter how overzealous or paranoid he was) would be such a terrible loss. Zazu was around when Mufasa reigned as the king of the Pride Lands, then Scar (unwillingly of course), and Simba. He was that old of a hornbill.
All things had their time and Zazu's own time was sure to come. But, the least they can all do was give him the last time of his life an enjoyable one before he joins Mufasa and Sarabi. After all, it wouldn't he a permanent goodbye. Perhaps Kion would be able to see Zazu in the sky if he needs him like he needed his grandparents for some advice or guidance.
A thought appeared in Kion's head and wondered if it would be a good thing. After all, he was still a kid, and most kids wouldn't know any better at some things. The question was: would it break the Circle of Life? Or would it not?
"Maybe, I can save him." the lions looked at him. "I don't know if it can work."
"what are you talking about, kid?" asked Vitani. "How can we save that old crow?"
"Vitani!" Kiara said.
"What? it's impossible." Vitani noted. "I don't want Zazu to... you know, as much as anyone else, but what can we do?"
Kion was a little hesitant but he looked up and said: "remember the pond of youth that turned mom and dad into cubs again?"
Kiara smiled and had her right eyebrow raised while her upper eyelids were lowered. "You know why we can't do that." she said.
"Yeah. I know." said Kion. "I was just trying to help him out. I was just-"
"We know Kion." said Kovu. "But you know that's not the answer."
"Death is a part of life, Kion." said Bundi. "Bssides, Zazu wouldn't really want that anyway."
"Who can replace him? and it's not really me, it's my parents. Zazu has been the majordomo for a long time."
"I know." said Kiara. "But look at it this way; once he dies, he can peacefully coexist with our grandparents without any pain or any worries at all."
"Besides, don't you talk to your grandparents in the sky?" asked Rani
"oh. Right." said Kion, remembering those encounters too well. "But who's going to replace him as a new Majordomo?"
"You don't have to worry about that." said Kiara.
"Well if your father asks," said the eagle-owl, "tell him i will be more than happy to fill in for him to help him and your mother." he smiled.
"Let's see what father thinks." said Kiara. "He might look for other good candidates out there."
"True."
It was a rather long trip down from the cold, snowy mountains, but it was nice for them all to enjoy the warmth of the valley again. Of course, they all said farewell to the gorillas before going back down.
"Kion?" said Chris, "Are you ok?" the human kid noticed how melancholic his new friend looked.
"Zazu is going to have to retire in a little while." Kion admitted. "But it will be ok. i'll be fine."
"You sure?"
"Yep."
They all made it back to Pride Rock and rhey were greeted by the king and queen of these lands. "dad, Bundi told us what happened."
"It's for the best, Kiara." said Nala. "He might not like it, but he needs to retire."
"How is he?" asked Vitani
"He's just resting on top of Pride Rock if you want to talk to him." Simba pointed. "But did you all have fun in the mountains?"
"We did." said Kion.
The king and queen looked at Heri, "Oh! hello Heri. What brings you here?"
"Just looking for some food for my family and i ran into Kion and company, you know. Whoop! i should probably get back to them before they get worried sick."
