Chapter 13 – Home
It had been 6 months since Zira had first met the streak of tigers. She spent those 6 months gaining some weight back, (after spending months with no food in the Outlands), as well as helping the tigers, and herself, prepare for the battle for the Pridelands.
It was a cold, but sunny morning. The lioness woke up surrounded by the 10 tigers. The Tiger Leader, Maoz, was never really that fond of Zira. He felt that she was worthy of keeping her promise of letting him rule the Pridelands, so he let her stay. Maoz was laying in the grass, relaxing until he saw Zira approaching him.
"Morning Zira. How'd you sleep?" he asked plainly. "Fine. You?" Zira replied as she sat down a few feet beside him. Maoz only nodded back. There was an awkward silence for a few moments. "So.." Zira began. "I feel like we are finally ready." Maoz looked at the lioness beside him. "Are you sure? What if we haven't trained enough and we need another few weeks more of combat?" he asked. "The tigers seem to be performing well. I think they are ready. Besides, I know what Simba is capable of. I watched him fight those hyenas on the night he returned from his disappearance." Zira answered. Maoz looked at her for a moment before replying. "Do you have any siblings that could help us?" Zira dipped her head. "I do." She replied. "Just one, but we aren't really on speaking terms." She added. Maoz nodded. "Okay then. If you have seen what Simba is capable of, and you think our streak is ready, then we will leave tonight. If all goes to plan, then we shall be at the Pridelands tomorrow night." The tiger answered as he stood up and stretched. "I'll assemble the rest and inform them." Zira replied.
It was the morning after Sarabi's funeral. The Pridelands were quiet. The animals were still mourning the death of their former queen. Kiara woke up first. She looked around the cave for her grandmother, hoping that last night was just a dream. Unfortunately, it wasn't. She sighed sadly and got up. She walked out of the cave into the crisp, cold and sunny morning. She sat at the edge of Pride Rock for a few minutes before hearing someone walk up behind her. Simba sat down beside her, letting his daughter lean on his shoulder.
"I miss her, Dad." Kiara said. "I know you do. I miss her too, dear." The king replied. "Dad?" Kiara began as she looked up into her father's eyes. "Hm?" Simba responded. "I've been thinking about this since Grandma died and, you probably won't like the idea of this. But, I don't think I want to be Queen." Kiara added. Simba looked at his daughter in confusion. "Why don't you?" he asked. "It could be just because I'm grieving." Kiara assured. "I just don't really feel like continuing with my training." She added. "What about Kovu? Don't you think that he might want to be king?" Simba asked. "I don't know. I never really thought about that. I'm sure in a few days I'll be feeling better and I'll want to start training again." Kiara responded. "Don't worry about your training for the next few days. Everybody grieves in different ways." Simba said. The princess nodded. "Okay. I'm going to the Waterhole." Simba said. "I'll come too." Kiara replied.
Kushinga was on his way back from his morning patrol. He stopped walking for a moment just to take in the beautiful morning. He looked to his right and could see Kopa jogging towards him. He smiled upon the young lion's arrival. "It's a beautiful morning Tojo, isn't it?" The king asked. "It really is." Kopa replied. He looked back up at the king in front of him. "When did you and Utamu get back last night? Kenji and I must have went to sleep." Kopa asked. "Oh, it was pretty late alright. And yes, you and Kenji were sound asleep when we got back." Kushinga chuckled. "So uh, how was the funeral?" Kopa asked timidly. "It was really sweet. I didn't know her at all, but I could tell by the royal family's faces that it was the perfect send-off." Kushinga answered. Kopa smiled sadly. "I'm gonna go wash myself off. I'll see you at breakfast time!" Kopa said as he ran past Kushinga and headed for the river. Kushinga then continued his journey back home. Not long after, he met up with his son. "Hey Dad. Have you seen Tojo?" Kenji asked. "Yup. He's washing himself off at the river. Why?" The king replied. "It's just my girlfriend is taking the piss saying that me and Tojo would make a cute couple because we were 'cuddling' each other last night." Kenji replied. Kushinga laughed. "Oh yes! You and Tojo seemed pretty comfy when your mother and I got home. Although I didn't mention it to Tojo because I didn't want to embarrass him." "Alright, thanks Dad. And please don't join Nayla in the teasing." Kenji joked as he ran off to find Kopa.
"Everyone UP!" Zira shouted. The tigers woke up pretty quickly after that rude awakening. "Good. Now that you are all awake, I would like to make an announcement." Zira said. Some of the tigers started chatting amongst themselves. "Quiet down please." Zira began. "It has come to my attention that I feel that you all are ready for battle. Is there anyone in this cave who thinks oppositely?" Zira asked. There was no response. "Good. Then be prepared. We leave for the Pridelands tonight. And then tomorrow, Simba and the Pridelanders will die." Zira taunted. In the clouds was a much younger looking Sarabi.
"Mufasa, what are we going to do?" she asked in fear. She turned to face her mate, who was sitting beside her. "I know what YOU can do, love. Go and tell Kopa before it is too late." Mufasa replied. Sarabi chuckled. "You always were so wise, and you still are." She responded. After that, the former Pridelands queen disappeared.
Kopa walked out of the river and shook himself dry. He could hear rustling in the tall grass to his left. His ears stood up as he paid close attention to the creature that was inching closer towards him. Kopa crouched down in a position to pounce, before Kenji sprung out of the tall grass , landing on Kopa which pushed him back into the water.
"You idiot!" Kenji joked. "Hey! What did I do?" Kopa replied, smiling. "I told you that we shouldn't have stayed out in the cold for so long last night. Nayla and Mom and Dad saw us 'cuddling'." Kenji shivered. Kopa chuckled. "Whaaat? Just 2 buddies keeping each other warm. What's so bad about that, huh?" Kopa asked playfully. "Nayla thinks we should be a couple. Just because of our little thing last night." Kenji replied. "Oh just ignore her." Kopa said. "Now it's time for my REVENGE!" Kopa exclaimed as he jumped on to Kenji and pushed his head underwater. The two teenage lions messed around in the water for another while before Nayla arrived at the river. "Aww. Tojo and Kenji, you two are so cute together." She teased. "Naylaaa stop." Kenji begged. Nayla laughed in response. "C'mon Kenji, you promised me that you would let me groom you today!" The lioness begged. Kenji looked at Kopa. The white lion sighed at his friend. "Sorry bro, I did promise her. We can hang out again later, okay?" Kopa nodded back. Kenji smiled and jumped out of the river and followed Nayla through the tall grass. "Alone again." Kopa sighed.
Kiara lay under a tree. Even though it was cold, she liked the shaded areas. Kovu lay down beside her. "Hey." He said as he nuzzled her. Kiara purred back. "Listen." He began. "Your Dad told me about what you said earlier. And I just want you to know that I will support any decision you make. I don't care if I don't get to be king. I just want you." Kiara smiled. "Thanks Kovu. I love you." "I love you more." Kovu replied.
7 HOURS LATER:
It was now evening time. Everyone was inside Pride Rock relaxing, escaping from the cold. The sunny morning had changed into a dull and cloudy evening. Zuri and Nia were sleeping beside each other, Tiifu and Jabari were flirting with each other, and Kovu and Kiara were making their way over to Simba.
"Kiara. Kovu. How are you?" the king asked. "We're fine dad." Kiara said, smiling back at her father. "Kovu and I talked about the whole 'queen' thing this morning and he told me that he doesn't care about being king. He said he would support my decision. Isn't that right?" Kiara explained. Kovu nodded. "Absolutely." Simba smiled. "Okay then. So, are you happy enough to let Tiifu and Jabari take your place then?" Simba asked. "Of course I am!" Kiara exclaimed. "But can we keep it as a surprise for them?" she asked. "We can do that." Simba chuckled. Kiara nuzzled her father. "Thanks dad. Hey, is it alright if Kovu and I go out for the night? We can be back in time for when the huntresses return." She asked. "Yes. Just be careful you two, alright?" the king replied. The young couple nodded in response and walked out of the cave.
Nuka was preparing to say goodbye to Vitani and his father. He decided that he wanted to go travelling around Africa, and hopefully be welcomed into a new pride where he can find a mate. "Are you sure you want to do this, son?" Chuma asked. "Positive. I think it's about time I move on from here. Don't worry though, I promise I'll come back and visit sometime." Nuka replied. Vitani hugged her brother. "I'll miss you." She said. Nuka sighed sadly. "Aw, come on, no need to get all sappy." He joked. Chuma hugged his son. "Good luck, Nuka. And hopefully you can bring back a looker to us." He joked. Vitani and Nuka chuckled at their father's humorous comment. "Bye guys." Nuka whispered before turning around and leaving. Nala saw Nuka leaving the cave. "Where's he going, Simba?" she asked in concern. "He's moving on from here." Simba replied.
It was now beginning to rain where Zira and the streak of tigers were. All 10 tigers stood beside each other, waiting for Zira and Maoz to come out of the cave. They stood in the light rain for a few minutes more, before the lioness slowly emerged from the darkness in the cave. She admired her army of tigers. Maoz walked out of the cave slowly and stood beside her.
"It's time." Zira began. "You know the tactics. We have practiced over the last 6 months. If all goes well, then by tomorrow night, we will be the new Prideland inhabitants!" Zira cheered. "And Maoz.." Zira added as she looked towards him. "Will be our ruler." Maoz smirked at her statement. This made Zira growl quietly. "Okay everyone, let's go." Maoz instructed.
Kopa was walking alone in the grass. He could see all the animals with their mates around him. Two zebras together, two birds, two monkeys. Kenji had a mate. And Kopa was alone, for what he thought was going to be forever. He flopped down onto the ground and sighed sadly. He heard a clap of thunder and it began to rain lightly. He could see a large cloud coming towards him. He stared at the cloud. It looked very familiar. Suddenly, the cloud formed the shaped of a lioness. Kopa gasped.
"Grandma.. is that you?" he asked in shock. "Yes, Kopa it is me." Kopa looked at the ground sadly. "I'm sorry I couldn't go to your funeral. I'm sorry I put you through so much grief, making you think I was dead." Kopa said. "It's alright, Kopa." She replied. "There is a problem." She added. "The pridelands are in imminent danger." Kopa looked back up at Sarabi. "What do you mean?" he asked. "Zira is returning to the Pridelands, and she's bringing a streak of tigers with her. They are planning on killing everyone, Kopa." She explained. Kopa's eyes widened. "What can I do? I can't go back! I can't face them, Grandma!" he cried. "Kopa, you have to." Sarabi begged. "Please, you may be the difference between your family dying, and defeating Zira and those tigers. Please, Kopa." Kopa sighed. "I guess you're right. I'm gonna have a lot of explaining to do when I get back." Kopa said. "Good. Now go. Go save the Pridelands." Sarabi said, encouraging her grandson. The clouded lioness began to fade into the sky. The rain began to fall heavier now. Kopa ran towards the cave where he and the royal family stayed. Kushinga stood outside wondering where Kopa was.
"Utamu, where is he?" he wondered. Utamu scanned across the land in front of them, hoping to find the young lion. "Look! There he is!" She exclaimed. Utamu and Kushinga ran to Kopa. "Tojo! It's pouring out! Where were you?!" Kushinga asked. Kopa took a deep breath. It was time to come clean. "Kushinga, Utamu. I really need to get going. But there's just one tiny thing you need to know." Kopa said. He hesitated. "My name isn't Tojo." Utamu and Kushinga looked at eachother in confusion. "Well, then, who are you?" they asked. "I am Kopa. Prince of the Pridelands."
A/N:
The end is near… Once again, sorry for disappearing yet again. Yes, this is the penultimate chapter of this story. But its all just kicking off! Also, if you were paying attention to the weather in this chapter, you will have noticed the first part is calm and sunny, mirroring the calmness of the characters, and the end of this chapter it begins to rain, mirroring the danger of Zira and the tigers making their way to the pridelands. 'The calm before the Storm'.. IN BOTH WAYS XD. See you soon for the grand finale! Take care!