Chapter 9
After Cody and his friends finished packing the tent and introducing themselves to Simba and his pride in which they in return introduced themselves (Kovu reluctantly did so), the teenagers then grabbed their luggage as they began to follow the lions to Pride Rock. The lionesses then began to ask more question since they already answered what the their "movable den" is, what middle and last names are, what a school is (Rosa tells them that she's home schooled and has to explain what that is as well), the instruments and the other stuff they carried (Cody made sure that no one knows the contents of his father's bag or about his meds), more about where the boys are from (with Rosa's helps out while leaving out stuff that might upset the lions), and the deal with Stan's suits. Rosa luckily answered their questions, much to boys' relief, since she's good at explaining stuff since the teenage girl does this all the time with the Swahili tribes. Kiara was very intrigued about humans' way of life even more since she's the one who's been asking the most questions.
One of the lionesses, Zuri, asked how old they are in which the teenagers replied that they're sixteen years old. This shocked the lions. Rosa even explained their human lifespan in animal lifespan, including when humans reach maturity and when they're able to get married, so that the pride can understand a lot more. In which they did.
They were half way to Pride Rock when Simba told everyone stop with their questions which made his daughter somewhat pouty. That didn't last that long however as she gave Kovu a sincere apologetic expression. "Kovu, I'm sorry I pounced you like that earlier."
"I'm not mad." Kovu replied reassuring her, surprising the young lioness. "My lessons have really improved your hunting skills."
The black-maned-lion smirked as he added "Who knows, you might maybe get good as me."
Kiara smirked lovingly, and teasingly like child, as he bumped his shoulder playfully with hers. They then both chuckled as they continued walking towards their home. Cody and his friends however were not to far behind the lions that are escorting them.
"This... is unreal." Cody said.
"What is?" Fred asked sarcastically with a nervous chuckle, "The part with animals talking, us being in another world, or the fact we're about to live with lions?"
"All of the above."
"I can't believe that all of this is really happening!" Greg said still in disbelief, "This feels like a weird illogical dream."
"Or a messed up drug-induced nightmare." Stan said.
"Well Tukufu did say that our perspectives going to be forever changed once we drink the potion and enter the Kingdom of Life." Rosa stated cheerfully, "I for one am enjoying this incredible adventure!"
Stan stared at her with a frustrated annoyance of disbelief. "Well this might be great for you, but did you forget that we're stuck here until a pathway to our parents is found! For crying out loud, we don't know if our parents are going to stay in Africa for that long since our "disappearance"!?"
"He does have a point." Greg said, "The Kenyan government might send them home."
"But not my parents." Rosa said, "My parents and I have a life in our world's Kenya. And when the pathway is found, we can go to my parents and inform the government about you guys."
"Yeah, but what if your parents are sent back to America as well!" Stan argued.
Rosa never thought about that which filled her much anxiety.
"HEY LAY OFF!?" Cody fiercely defended her.
"Cody we're being realistic here!" Fred said, "We expected to be sent back to our parents today!"
"I know that. But Rosa's trying to help out by pointing out the good things out of the bad news we received today! So give her some slack alright!"
Greg, Fred, and Stan now felt bad for reprimanding her.
"... Sorry." Stan said with guilt in a apologetic.
"We didn't mean to be rude." Greg added.
"Yeah dudette, we didn't expect to stay here longer than we thought." Fred said.
"It's alright guys." Rosa said forgiving them with a small smile, "I feel kind of the same about all of this as well. I was trying to be uplifting is all."
"We know that." Cody said with a reassuring smile.
"Is everything alright?"
The teenagers almost jumped and lost grip of the stuff they're carrying by the voice of Queen Nala. They then found the lioness in front of them with Kiara and Kovu behind her. The prince consort, and mate/husband of Kiara, stared with slight distrustfulness as he eyed at Cody's sheathed knife attached to his left side of his belt which the teenager picked up before leaving. After the teenagers relaxed, Cody explained to the queen about if their parents are sent out of Africa which Greg added the reason why.
"I'll speak to my husband about this." Nala reassured them, "And he'll ask our mjuzi what to do if that happens. Alright."
"Who?" Stan asked in confusion. The rest of the boys have know idea what the word meant as well. Rosa rolled her eyes at her friends' cluelessness as she explained what a 'mjuzi' is while pointing out that it's Rafiki.
"Ohhhh..." The boys said in unison as they finally understood.
"Asante. Thank you so much your majesty." Rosa said to Nala gratefully.
The queen smiled while looking impressed. "Karibu. You're welcome Rosa. By the way, you're quite knowledgeable in your youth."
"Thank my parents for teaching me." Rosa said, "That's one of the benfits of being home schooled."
Cody and the rest of his friends groaned in slight annoyance.
"Please don't rub it in." The beanie wearing teenager said.
"I'm not!" Rosa said looking slightly insulted.
"If you like Rosa, I can help you out teach your friends the words we use so they can understand what they mean when they talk with animals here in the Pride Lands." Kiara said.
"That's a great Kiara." Nala said, "All of us in the pride will help as well."
"We will?"
Kiara elbowed Kovu for his rudeness as he then went silent.
"Everything alright back there?" Simba called out to his mate, his daughter, and his son-in-law.
"All is fine." Nala called back.
"Then can we keep moving forward!"
Nala then turned back to the humans as Kiara tells the humans "He may be rude at first, but he'll soon warm up to you. He's just being protective of everyone in the Pride Lands."
Then queen, princess, and prince consort then head back in the front with Simba as everyone then continued their walk to Pride Rock.
"Doesn't seem like it." Cody whispered.
"I didn't know they also speak Swahili besides English?" Greg said.
"It's not that," Rosa said, "I believe they're speaking 'Swinglish'."
The boys stared at her with confusion.
"What?" Fred asked.
"Basically it's English with some Swahili words mixed in." Rosa replied.
"You gotta be joking?! Me, Fred, Greg, and Cody are just barely learning some of Swahili! This is going to be more difficult than it is!?" Stan complained.
"That's why they offered to help me teach you guys." Rosa said.
"At least we'll learn less of Swahili." Greg said trying to be positive.
"And what's with the king calling us 'Watu' instead of humans?" Cody asked.
"Watu means 'people'." Rosa replied, "I believe it's another name for our kind."
"Then why is he saying it like a racial slur?" Fred asked.
Rosa began to ponder "I believe that he's just not trustful of humans. Maybe because of the negatives things that he might've heard of them?"
"Whatever his deal is, he's sure making us not feel welcomed."
"Also the lions here have different colored manes, pelts, and eyes from those outside of Animalia." Cody said, "Does it have to do with this 'unveiling' when we drank the potion?"
"I doubt it. I've seen fabric paintings from Swahili tribes talking about different species of lions that used to exist in the past." Rosa replied, "I believe that they're descendants of a single species of those non-existant lions or more."
"Whatever." Stan said, "The sooner we get to Pride Rock, the faster we can set up camp so I can rest my feet."
Rosa rolled her eyes to the back of her head.
After several minutes, they're finally close upon arriving at the home of Simba and his pride. Pride Rock was a lot bigger up close when the teenagers stared at the magnificent natural structure before them. Cody let out a low whistle as Stan then whispered "Do you think they're compensating for something?"
Cody looked annoyed as he elbowed him in response.
"Ow! What?!"
"This could be a great addition to the Great Wonders of the World." Greg said with awe as he somehow managed to adjust his glasses while carrying his belongings.
"Plus it's got like a slope on the back of Pride Rock." Fred added, "This will be great to skateboard on."
"Or to slide on." Cody added with excitement.
"Yeah! That'll fun too!"
"But it doesn't snow in the savanna." Rosa pointed out.
"Yeah, but that's not going to stop us." Cody said with a grin.
Rosa shook her head she muttered "Ugh... boys."
Everyone was close to the base of Pride Rock when they heard someone yelling "AHHHHH! WATU!"
Everyone looked up as blue hornbill flew towards the king warning "Your majesty—"
"Zazu, relax." Simba said, "They're... our guests."
The bird stared at him with utter disbelief. "WHAT?! HOW? WHY?—"
Simba then began to explain as the teenagers just stood there while the rest of the pride went on ahead.
"Who's that?" Cody asked.
"That's Zazu." Kiara replied as she approached the teenagers. "He's my father's majordomo."
"His what?" Stan said almost laughing. The other boys tried to keep a straight face as well as Rosa added. "It's another word for steward."
"Is that Swahili?" Fred asked.
"NO! What are they even teaching you guys at school?!"
Before the boys could react to what Rosa said, Simba and Zazu approached them.
"You five will set up your "tent" at the east of Pride Rock," Simba said, "but you have to be close enough so we can keep an eye on."
"WHAT?! Why can't they stay with us in the den?" Kiara asked.
The boys eyes went wide at Kiara's offer.
"Uh, no thanks. We'll stick with the tent." Cody said with a nervous smile before Simba could argue with his daughter.
"Why not? There's plenty of room back at the den. And a lot more warmer."
"Have you heard the term 'Into the lions' den'?"
The lioness shook her head. Cody sighed as he explained what it is. Kiara then laughed. "You have nothing to worry about. It's like one of the safest places in the kingdom."
"Really?" Greg whispered to Fred with uneasiness.
"Besides, your dad already has place for us to put up our tent." Cody said, "We don't to push your father's hospitality."
Another reason Cody didn't want his friends and himself to live the den is Simba's hostility towards them.
Kiara was going to say something otherwise but Simba cut in and said "Zazu will lead you to the grounds where you'll stay."
"Follow me now young Watu." The hornbill directed as he flew.
"I'm really getting sick of being called that." Stan whispered.
"Same here." Fred whispered agreeing with him.
The teenagers then began to follow the steward to their temporary place of stay. As they're earshot away from them, Simba turned toward his daughter with a frown. Kiara immediately knew she's getting the usual 'parent to child' talk.
"Kiara—"
"I know, I'm in trouble. But daddy you know I'm an adult now. I can make my own—"
"You're not in trouble."
This caught the princess off guard.
"If you haven't spoken with that Watu, I would've dishonor myself and our pride by scaring them out of the kingdom."
The young lioness smiled until her father continued with serious tone "But that doesn't excuse for your recklessness."
Kiara frowned again in annoyance.
"What if they didn't made contact with the Nomadic Ghosts. And if that watu didn't place that zebra in that situation."
"Cody didn't—"
"I know he didn't. I'm just saying you got to be careful who to trust."
"What about Kovu."
"That was different. He's a lion. A animal like the rest of Animalia!"
Kiara was about to retort but Simba cut in as he continued "The Watu have been excluded from being an animal for a long time Kiara. They live and act differently from the rest of us. The Nomadic Ghosts have accepted that fact because how the rest of the Watu are."
"You can't just alienate them because of the rumors and stories!" Kiara argued, "Not all of them are like that!"
"I'm doing this for the safety of the Pride Lands and the rest of Animalia."
Kiara grunted in frustration as she then ran towards the teenagers to check on them.
"KIARA!" Simba called.
"Don't worry, I'll speak to her.
Kovu then ran after her mate as a small group of lionesses began to check on the humans as well.
Simba sighed in frustration as he heard his mate speaking to him. "She's right you know."
The king turned toward his queen in disbelief. "Nala, not you too!"
"Simba, the humans are just kids. They got separated from their parents for goodness sake." Nala said, "She was right about Kovu and the rest of his pride, why not just trust her judgement this time. After all, the Nomadic Ghosts wouldn't allow them here in Animalia if they're can't be trusted."
Simba looked conflicted as he then sighed. "Alright, I'll try. But they better not cause any trouble."
Nala smiled as she nuzzled her mate.
"Thank you Simba."
She then walked up towards the den as she faced her husband and said "Who knows, maybe you'll warm up to them."
Simba again looked conflicted as Nala walked up to the den.