AN: Thank you all who have come onto reading this part in the series and all those who have reviewed. I'm starting with some introducing chapters that start with what's happened at each time during the days and as the story progresses the chapters will get longer and each one will focus on the different perspective's going on.
Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 3
A wearisome soul lurking behind a set of amber eyes, stared toward the sky as night fell upon the Pridelands like clockwork. They watched as one by one the stars started to twinkle into existence after a day of rest filling up the void of blackness with their lights. Lights that use to give meaning to the wearisome soul, but now they served a meaningless purpose for not even those who looked down upon him could settle his restlessness.
That last bit of sunlight in the distance, and those stars represented yet the end of another day. And the end of yet another fruitless search. The morning after the night of his mates and son's death Simba had gone out with his mother and had collected their bodies and had brought them back to Pride Rock. The King had spent that entire morning digging a hole until he could carefully deposit their bodies inside.
He knew it wasn't tradition but the King wanted this and no one argued with him. For none could argue with a weeping soul. Simba wanted his mate to be close to Kiara even if it was just to be buried near her.
It was sometime after that Simba had gathered a search party. Splitting them into two his orders had been that they were to search the Pridelands. He refused to believe Kopa and Eshe were dead and he would find them. Kiara would stay safely back at Pride Rock with Durra who had volunteered to watch over the little Princess.
But each search seemed to turn up with nothing. Not even the animals had seen the missing Prince and Princess. It was during those searches that word of the Queen's death and the death of the youngest Prince had reached the ears of all who lived in the Pridelands and no matter where Simba went he saw someone who was mourning his mate.
Even though they never found anything, Simba kept the searches going. But the King was slowly becoming aware that the others in his Pride were beginning to think the searches were for not. That Kopa and Eshe were as lost to them as Zuri and Musa was.
But Simba didn't want to believe that. Something deep inside him told him that his son and daughter were alive. That they were out there, he just had to find them. His eyes travelled back toward the stars taking in one he thought was new up there in a place he hadn't seen one before.
"You wouldn't give up if you knew they were out there somewhere…I know you wouldn't…you would have done everything in your power to find our cubs. But we have searched everywhere…I know they have to be out there. Why can't you just give me a sign?" The King pleaded toward the star which only seemed to twinkle with no real answer.
Sighing, the King's shoulders slumped and his head hung down so low his chin brushed his mane covered chest.
It had been a week since everything had gone down that night. A week of finding nothing. A week of him sleeping beside an empty spot where his mate and son once laid with him. He had found it hard to sleep without them right there along side him where he knew they were safe and they gave him comfort. When they had gone into hiding Simba had found it hard to sleep then but knowing they would never be there beside him again made it even harder.
Beside's those first few days after his Father's death, Simba couldn't remember a night where Zuri had never been by his side at night. Holding him and comforting him away from his nightmares to the point as time went on Simba had stopped having them.
But now that presence was gone and he would never be able to get it back.
Whenever he closed his eyes, he found it hard to sleep for the images of his mate and son entered his mind. But that wasn't all, at times he would dream that Kopa and Eshe were calling out to him but no matter how hard he searched in his dreams he could never find them much like he couldn't find them outside of his dreams.
There was one good thing however, that everyone liked to remind him of, and that was the fact that he hadn't lost everything that night.
He still had Kiara. And the King could not deny that if it wasn't for the fact that he could hold his little princess each and every night he may not have fallen asleep to begin with.
Kiara was like a warm ray of sunlight.
Each and every time the King would return from his searches and patrols he would find himself being greeted by his young daughter. Who at the sight of him would get up and hurry on toward him as best she could given she was only just learning to walk. But was getting better at it everyday. She didn't just have her mother's eyes it seemed but also Zuri's stubborn but determined personality.
He had worried how Kiara would survive at first without her mother's milk, but Sarabi had quickly come up with a solution and had sent out Zazu to find a suitable nursing mother. The hornbill had turned up an hour later with a cheetah in toe that had a cub of her own with her. She had agreed to nurse Kiara until they deemed her suitable to be weaned and taught to chew meat. He had been thankful for her had feared he would loose her next. He wasn't sure how he would be if he had lost everything.
"Simba?"
The King turned when he heard his mother's voice coming up behind him and watched as both she and Nala made their way over to where Simba had been sitting at the peak for almost an hour. In Nala's mouth dangled Kiara.
The young lioness was quite determined to keep her promise to her late Queen. Whenever she was able, she had Kiara with her. Bathing her and teaching her. But she wasn't the only one, Sarabi along with the other lionesses were all stepping up to help raise the cub since her mother was gone. There were times Simba could hear them whispering to Kiara about her mother, telling her only the things they knew about her in such short time. But it would have to be Simba who would have to tell his daughter all he knew of her mother.
Bending her head, Nala set Kiara down and with her nose gave the cub a little nudge on the romp. With a squeak the little princess began to stumble toward her father who reached out with his paw to steady her and draw her closer to him. He felt warmth spread through him when Kiara wrapped her tiny paws around his massive one and nuzzle her head against his leg. My little Princess
"Simba?" Sarabi started watching her son. It had been a tiresome week for them all. Sarabi was up at every dawn with her son and had set out with him even before the rest to continue their search for Kopa and Eshe. But Sarabi in the end had only searched for Eshe for she believed if Kopa was alive the cub would have come back to them on his own whereas Eshe would have been too small to do anything for wait till someone found her.
But when each search turned up empty handed. She and the others began to think that the young princess was dead as well. There was no way a young cub at her age would have lasted a week out there at her age without shelter and food. And as much as it pained her, Sarabi had to wonder just how long they could continue these searches.
Zazu had told her that Simba had begun to ignore his duties as King during the week. The King hardly kept his patrols but rather was only determined to find his missing cubs. Simba even ignored all of Zazu's reports which the hornbill had been giving and settling problems on his own knowing his King needed his time to grieve.
But Sarabi knew her son couldn't put his duties off for much longer. He could mourn as he pleased, Sarabi knew he needed too but he was also a King and he had a Kingdom that needed him. A pride that needed him. And a daughter who needed her father now that her mother was gone. But least she knew Simba had not once put off his duty as a father to Kiara in his grief. Kiara seemed to be what was holding him together.
For the time being anyways.
"What is it that you want Mother?" Simba pressed tiredly. Looking from his daughter to the beige lioness in front of him who was watching him with a look of guidance.
Taking a deep breath, Sarabi shared a look with Nala who nodded her head and then stepped closer to her son looking him in the eyes. "Son…we need to talk about these searches…"
"For the last time Mother, I am not calling them off!" The King snapped forcefully.
Sighing, the older lioness shook her head. "Simba…it has been a week…we all agree that if Kopa was alive…that he would have come back by now…and Eshe…Simba…think of the possibilities. She's too young. I don't want to think my grandcubs are dead, I really don't. Not after I had just gotten my family back but please my son…we need to have time to grieve them all now…" she closed her eyes to try and fight off her tears. Every night she had cried herself to sleep. The pain she felt was like that of when she had lost Mufasa and thought she had lost Simba.
But even she knew there was a time to give up and accept the undeniable truth.
That Kopa and Eshe simply would never be returning home. It was a hard thing to accept, Sarabi knew that. But she didn't know how she could hold on much longer clinging to false hope. She rather mourn the losses then cling to hope and keep on searching and coming up with nothing. At least if she mourned their loss she knew it would put her at peace. She knew if she kept on searching with false hope and ended up with nothing it would eat at her.
Like it already was and knew it was doing the same to her son.
From beside her, Nala decided to speak up. "Your Mother is right Simba. All this fruitless searches isn't good for you…or any of us. We all loved them Simba. It hurts us just as much as it does you to come up with nothing. We all need time to grieve and mourn Simba not just be out there searching day in and day out. You also have a pride that needs you. Zira's been banished…there is no more danger here…we can be at peace. Don't you think Zuri would want you to mourn properly?" she eyed her best friend with worry. She lay awake at night watching him twitch and moan in his sleep from nightmares she knew he was having. She did all she could to help with the searches but she agreed with Sarabi.
It had already been a week. If they were out there, Nala was certain they would have found the cubs already.
Simba eyed the two lionesses with contempt and growled leaning in so that his face was close to Nala's. "My mate would not want me to give up on our cubs!"
Both lionesses fell into silence. With Nala leaning back from Simba with a displeased look on her face. Sarabi shook her head. "Simba think clearly…you can't continue this way…think of it this way…you need to get back to your duties as King. Zazu can't just keep up like this. He's handling everything for you because he knows you needed time but it's been a week. You have to learn to accept the truth Simba. I have. I don't want them to be dead but I rather mourn then have false hope and die from a broken heart of endless searches!" Sarabi raised her voice. It was not often she did it but she was too upset to keep herself from allowing it.
"You need to accept this Simba…with Kopa gone…you need to present Kiara as your new heir…and more importantly…you need to send word to the Rasheda's."
Simba clenched his eyes shut. He didn't want to believe Kopa was gone. He was his heir. His first born.
Kopa was supposed to have been King after him.
But what if his mother was right. What if Kopa and Eshe were truly gone?
He could see the logic in what she said but at the same time…he just didn't want to believe it. But what else could he do? Would Zuri truly want him to continue on searching or would she want him to mourn their family properly?
Sad thing was he would never truly know what his mate would want him to do. He knew Zuri would have searched until she could search no more. But there wasn't a single part of the Pridelands he hadn't searched. Simba had even braved the elephant graveyard in order to search for the two cubs but had come up with nothing. Word from the southern pride and Eastern prides were the same.
Nothing.
His mind went to the pride had had just banished from his Kingdom the night of his mates death. His mate's murderer. How he wished her had banished Zira from the Pridelands upon his return. Then none of this would have happened. Zuri would still be alive and so would be his cubs.
Tears stung his eyes from behind his closed eyelids. The King wrapped his paw securely around his remaining daughter and drew her even closer to him. Bending his head so that he could nuzzle the top of hers with his nose he took in a deep breathe. "I'll think about it…" was his only answer. "And what news to the Rasheda's?" He asked this time.
Nala was the one to speak. "Jaali and they are Zuri's family Simba. Just as much as you are. They deserve to know what has happened. They deserve to mourn her and the cubs just as much as we do." She stood back watching the conflict come over Simba's face.
The Rasheda's.
Jaali. Leta. Tufa and Yamile.
They were a few of Zuri's last living blood relatives.
But how was he going to break the news to them. Jaali was more than just his friend, Jaali had been like a brother to him while growing up and Leta…Leta had been like his aunt. Not only had she been there that day to save him from the desert but she had raised him along with Zakia and many of the other lionesses in the Rasheda's. All the lionesses had taken part in raising the cubs there. Much like he saw the lionesses now here in his Pride taking take of his daughter who was missing her mother.
Tufa and Yamile had been too young when he left the pride but he was sure they had heard tales of their cousin from Jaali.
Mansa was dead but he felt like the old lion that he had been proud to follow would be just as equally upset to hear what had happened to his niece. But he was pretty sure he already knew. If there truly was an afterlife from the time he saw his father and Mohatu, Mansa must already know what happened to Zuri. He could only hope the old lion would take care of his mate and cubs in the otherworld.
His mind went to the idea he had come up with shortly before his new cub's births. Of how he wanted to make a journey to the Jungles to see the Rasheda's and have them get to know his and Zuri's cubs. He figured Leta would love to see them before she passed on. That was if she hadn't already. He hadn't heard word from the Rasheda's in a long time and began to worry if something had possibly happened to them as well?
He couldn't imagine anything happening to them.
If something had, then all he had to his mate was their daughter.
He thought perhaps he should make the journey with Kiara and two lionesses. Tell the Rasheda's what had happened in person.
But then he shook his had and thought against it. If the Rasheda's were still fine and alive, and he prayed they were, he could not face them. He had sworn to Jaali that he would look out for Zuri and he had failed. He had broken his promise to the lion he called his brother. How could he face him…there was only one other way and one other animal besides him and Nala who knew the way to the Jungles.
Sighing, Simba climbed to his paws. "I'll speak with Zazu in the morning…let him decide what he wants to do and when he leaves…but until then we will keep on searching for Kopa and Eshe! I cannot simply replace my heir…what's next wanting me to replace my Queen as well!" Simba snapped at both lionesses. Tears filling his eyes but her stubbornly refused to let them fall.
Picking Kiara up carefully the King bypassed the two and headed on towards the den. The lionesses inside quickly stepping aside to allow their King passage. Many sending him looks of sympathy that Simba simply ignored. He did not want their pity. He just wanted his family. Moving on passed them he made his way to the back of the cave where he use to share with his family now he just shared with Kiara.
Placing his daughter down, Simba lay beside her and gathered her in his paws. Kiara mewed and squeaked at being moved around so much. Turning her head she stared up at him with her blue eyes that painfully reminded Simba too much of Zuri. Sometimes he found that he couldn't even look into those eyes.
Kiara squirmed in her fathers hold turning around to face him fully. Her paws pawing at his mane. Then squeaked in a demanding manner. For days she been wondering where her mother had gone. She could no longer smell her and that confused her. All she could smell and see there the others that took care of her. Not even that strange spotted creature she got milk from was her mother. But her young mind could not comprehend anything and she figured her mother was around somewhere.
The cub didn't have to speak for Simba to know she may have been wondering the same. But the cubs mind was so young and learning he was sure she would soon come to terms that her mother was gone. Even if she would really understand death until she was older. Nor understand why everyone was telling her tales of her mother. But as the weeks passed and the months came she would.
Running his tongue along her back, he began to bathe her accordingly.
He wasn't really great at bathing cubs. Zuri was always the one to bathe the cubs. She always claimed that Simba was sloppy when it came to bathing Kopa. He would have been offended but he was grateful he didn't have to bathe the boy. Kopa was always one to get dirty so he gladly let his mate handle it.
Now he could let the lionesses handle bathing Kiara. They all seemed to enjoy doing it. But he remembered hearing that bath time was often a bonding time with cubs it allowed the cub to bond with the person. To trust them.
So Simba was taking this chance at bonding with Kiara. And the cub so far seemed to enjoy his attention. Once he was done, he let Kiara settle in his paws when she yawned and curled herself up in his arms her head resting on top of his arm. Gazing down at her, Simba sighed as he thought back to what his mother and Nala had said.
He didn't want to think it…but what if Kopa and Eshe were dead…what if all his searching was nothing but some wild goose chase. But he couldn't help but feel like he was failing his cubs by giving up the search for them.
Sighing, Simba closed his eyes.
Zuri…what is it that you would do…if I give up and they are out there…they'll die anyways if I don't find them…but if they're already dead and I'm just searching with false hope…I don't know what to do love…I wish you were here. You would know exactly what to do. You were always the logical one…I and Jaali were always just the clowns…you were the one with the heads on your shoulders…Oh what's the point…I bet you can't even hear my prayer too you…but please…Zuri…give me a sign…anything…that I'm doing the right thing here…
Opening his eyes, Simba looked up and gazed around the cave as if expecting some sort of sign. But when he saw nothing he laid his head down beside his daughter who was now comfortably curled up against his mane now fast asleep. He envied Kiara being so young she didn't completely understand her mother and siblings were never coming home. He feared the day he would have to sit her down and explain it but he was grateful his mother had already stated when the time came she would be there for him to help him along with it.
"What am I going to do…what sign can you give Zuri please…anything…" the King sighed closing his eyes just as he felt a soft breeze move over him, ruffling through his mane like a gentle stroking of a paw almost like Zuri would do when he was upset growing up. With that gentle breeze he found himself slipping into sleep.
She watched from the corner as her beloved drifted off into slumber. She had heard everything he had prayed to her for. She felt guilty knowing there wasn't much she could do at this time. She was still new to this…life. If that's what you could call it. There really was no name for it. The afterlife was what it was. You lived and you didn't. Only those who chose it could wander the earth, every other life lingered in the other world.
Zuri had yet to see that world. She had yet to leave her families sides. She didn't want too. This was her place. To be with them until she saw all the wrongs that had been done to them righted. To see them all together once more.
But this long week had been a heart breaking one for her.
It broke her heart to see her mate suffering. Zuri herself, she knew all her cubs but one was safe. She knew where they were at all times. But Simba did not. He only knew that Kiara was alive. She watched him neglect his duties and knew if he kept that up he would have a Kingdom who turned on him.
That couldn't happen. That would put her own plans in vain. She knew it angered those furless creatures. Jelani and Bakari. That she was going against what fate wanted of her family. But she didn't care. She would see them together again. For the time being she let them have their way. Let them take her son far from the Pridelands where she could not stop him from going.
Mansa and her mother promised to look after Kopa for her. She trusted them. She wanted to look in on her oldest but for now she had two of her youngest that needed her. She had been disgusted when she had heard of what Kumai planned with her daughter and feared for her around Zira. Kumai had even changed her beloved Eshe's name to Zawadi.
But the more she looked in upon Kumai and her daughter. Zuri began to feel less worried. Kumai could benefit from her daughter and perhaps work toward Zuri's plan of having her family back together in the future. But when that would be. It was beyond her comprehension. Bakari had warned her about interfering too much. That had made her laugh when he told her that.
What was that furless monkey think he was doing exactly? She thought.
But she also knew that her daughter would be friends with Zira's cubs. Her heart went out to them as well. Each believed the lie that their mother had told them. And that saddened Zuri, for those cubs did not deserve to be lied too. They deserved the truth. She feared what Zira would raise them to be and from time to time found her worrying about her own daughter. But she had faith that Kumai would not raise her like Zira would raise her offspring. Kumai had too big a heart for that.
She just had to realize it and see that she did.
Her mind went back to Kiara and Simba. She had heard the conversation that Sarabi and Nala had with Simba. Her mate had been correct. She wouldn't have given up on finding her cubs. But she could understand where Sarabi was coming from. Simba was letting his grief consume him and his duties. She knew she could not take his grief away from him for good or make him forget what happened but she could do something to ease his pain and let him know…that everything would work out in the end…he had only to believe…
Give me a sign.
And a sign she shall give. Smiling, she turned her head to look into the shadows behind her where a small figure was lurking behind her back legs. She had been rather shocked to find him for she had thought his soul would have been too young to take form but was grateful too Mufasa who had delivered him to her. "Do you think we should help him?" she asked watching a small head poke out from behind her, warm chocolate coloured eyes staring back at her. Eyes that matched its fur. Eyes she thought she would NEVER see.
The head nodded. "Then I think we should get started, no? My little one." Zuri watched as from behind her crept out a small brown lion cub. The cub nodded his head vigorously making Zuri smile then turn her attention back to Simba who she noticed started to twitch in his sleep. A sign that he was starting to have another nightmare.
A nightmare she was about to chase away.
Making her way over with the cub by her side. She stopped beside her mate and reached over to hold her paw above his head. She still couldn't touch him without her paw going right through him but she would learn soon enough. But for now she would do the only thing she could. Turn her mate's dreams around.
I can't do much else for you my love. But I can give you peace…even if it's not much… She thought while her paw started to glow a soft pulsing light that only those who had the eyes to see could see it.
"Simba…"
A soft voice called out to him. Ears twitching, Simba curled his body into a tight ball. This was all a nightmare. How else would he be hearing that voice? A voice that always called out in his dreams. Always calling out for him.
"Simba…"
Go away! He thought. His paws coming up to wrap over his ears. Go away!
He wanted to cry. He wanted the voice to go away. For it wracked him with guilt. Guilt that he hadn't been there in time to save them.
The lion's nose wrinkled up when he suddenly felt something soft poke it.
This was new. He never had been touched in his dreams before. He would always be running through darkness, endless darkness searching for something he could not see but could only hear. Always with him calling out that he was coming and to hold on. He was beginning to think it was his imagination.
But whatever was pressing up against his nose was not pulling away. And that was when he heard it again. The voice. Her voice. But only this time it was right in front of him.
"Simba…open your eyes you silly lion."
It was that of which the lion finally opened his eyes.
Amber clashed with sapphire blue.
"You're up!"
Simba let out a startle cry, jumping up he only managed to stumble and fall back to the ground with an. "Oaf!"
A laugh he thought he would never hear chimed like bells in front of him. "Oh, now this brings back good memories of the first time we met." A beautiful voice followed.
Shock overcame Simba leaving him speechless for the first time in days. For there standing right in front of him as if nothing had ever happened was his mate. His Zuri. Who stood there smiling, her sapphire eyes shinning with mirth and happiness like they always had been growing up.
"What…what's going on?" Simba stumbled over his words looking around him. This…this just couldn't be he thought. He saw that he was no longer in the den…well not the den at Pride Rock anyways. He knew this cave, but it was a cave he never thought he'd ever see again. It was the cave that he had grown up in, along with the lioness that stood no more than two feet from him watching him closely. This cave was back in the Rasheda Grove in the Jungle.
What was he doing here?
Looking back at Zuri who continued to watch him, not saying a word. Simba began to wonder if everything that had happened over the last year was all a dream. Did he dream Nala showing up in the Jungle? Did he dream going back to the Pridelands and fighting Scar to become King? Did he dream his family dying? Was everything that had happened, just one big dream and he was just waking up from it now?
Climbing slowly to his paws, the lion padded his way over to his mate's side. Watching as that beautiful smile of hers that he always loved spread across her muzzle. "Zuri…"
The brown lioness nodded her head. "Who else would it be?" she asked like it was the most obvious thing. Unable to hold himself back any longer, Simba reached out wrapping his paw around his mate and drew her close to him. Sighing in content when she turned her face to nuzzle it into his mane while he laid his head atop of hers.
He stayed like that for several quiet minutes. Not saying a word, just enjoying the presence of his love and the feel of her in his arms again. Finally he pulled away to look her in the face. "I…I just had the most horrible dream…I…I dreamt that I…that I lost you." he whispered leaning forward so that both their noses and foreheads touched.
"I thought I dreamt that I found you dead…you and our cubs…" Closing his eyes he thought he caught a quick glimpse of sadness wash over his mates face but he just pushed it aside. He felt a paw stroke his mane making him open his eyes again and smile.
"Well I am here my love…as is our son."
"Our son?" Simba pulled away from his mate with a large smile. Happy to know his son was alive and well. "Where is he?" he asked really wanting to see his cubs.
Zuri smiled and looked around Simba nodding her head. Confused, the lion turned to see a small figure step out of the shadows. A figure of brown much like his mate with warm chocolate brown eyes that reminded him of the cub's maternal grandmother Zakia. He was confused. This cub wasn't Kopa. He was…"Musa…"
Why was Musa there?
Where was Kopa?
Where were Eshe and Kiara?
Were they out playing somewhere?
Were the other cubs just something that happened in his dream?
Was the only son he really had was Musa and the others had been something his mind had made up?
Whatever the case may be. Simba felt happiness wash over him at the sight of the cub. Stepping forward Simba bent his head squaring his paws apart with a large smile on his muzzle. "Musa, come to Daddy Musa!" His smile only widened further as the cub squeaked happily and began running toward him.
He laughed as Musa jumped at him when he got close enough latching himself up onto the top of Simba's muzzle. "Whoa there big guy. You might fall." He warned reaching up he laid his paw on the cub that just mewed and squeaked. Carefully, Simba flopped himself down onto his back and with his paw placed Musa on his chest. Raising his head just enough to glimpse at him. "Oh no! The mighty Musa has defeated me…Zuri help!" Simba reached his paw out toward his mate who hadn't left the spot she previously been sitting in.
The cub mewed happily and bounced on his father's chest while his mother stood back and watched laughing at the display her mate and cub were giving her. She shook her head as Simba called out for her, "No can do my love. He's got you pretty good."
Simba pouted at her but it only made her shake her head again. Seeing that he wasn't going to get help, he used his paws to nudge his son in a fake fighting match which Musa squeaked happily while batting at his paws in return. From there, Simba went on to playing a game of chase. All of which the entire time he began to take notice that Zuri barely left the same place she saw in the entire time.
It wasn't long before Simba caught Musa. Grabbing the cub by the back of the neck he carried him over toward Zuri who watched them with a soft loving gaze. Grinning with triumph Simba deposited their son down in-between him and Zuri. "He's getting better at walking it seems."
"Yes…yes he is." Zuri answered, reaching out she laid her paw on Muse's head who gazed up at her. She stroked the bit of fur that stuck up on top of his head. The cub mewed and rubbed back against her paw affectionately.
Watching this, Simba smiled. But he could not help but feel like he was missing something. The thought of where the other cubs were and his dream were nagging him in the back of his mind. "Zuri?"
"Yes, Simba?" his mate asked raising her eyes to look at him. He felt like they were piercing right through him.
"I…I can't help but ask…where are Kopa; Kiara and Eshe?" Simba stared at his mate watching her face for any reaction. If there other three were just his imagination in his dream he expected confusion to come over her face for him asking such a question. But it wasn't confusion that came over her face but sadness. "Zuri…Zuri what's wrong?"
He watched his mate smile sadly at him and says. "You know where Kiara is my love."
Simba blinked his eyes. He did? Well if he knew where she was, why couldn't he remember? He looked around the cave that was when he noticed that they were no longer in the cave. The walls and floor disappeared to be replaced with a vast white space. Nothing but white for miles around. As if a void. Like nothing existed.
"What…what is going on?" He asked whipping around but he saw that his mate and son were gone. Panic rose up inside him. "Zuri? Musa?" He called out. But no one called back to him. Jumping to his paws, the lion turned in a circle but he could not see anything but white all around him. "Zuri!?" he hollered tears in his eyes. Picking up his paws he began running, searching for his family. But the further he went the white vastness continued to stretch on.
It seemed like forever when he heard her voice again.
"Right here Simba."
Turning so fast his mane hit him in the face he stared at his mate who stood now four feet away from him. "Zuri…" breathlessly he made his way slowly toward her expecting her to disappear again. But that wouldn't be the case. She was still there but the closer he got the further she appeared away from him. "Zuri?"
He watched the sad tearful smile come over his mates beautiful face. He always hated seeing her sad. She didn't deserve to be sad. He wanted to make her happy. She was more beautiful when she was happy and smiling. When that warmth she always had when she looked at him in her eyes it made him know he was loved. But that warmth was gone. Replaced with sadness. Agonizing sadness. "Zuri…Zuri, what's going on?" he demanded picking up his paws he began to change his walk to a trot and then finally a full out run when he noticed he could not get any closer to her. "Why can't I touch you?"
"Because I cannot allow you too." Zuri whispered. Simba felt shock go through him. "What do you mean?" he asked stopping he stared toward her.
"I cannot allow you to touch me…not until you tell me where you know Kiara is."
Eyebrows rising, Simba began to find him getting frustrated. "I don't know where she is. If I did I wouldn't have asked you!"
He watched as his mate shook her head sadly at him. "No Simba…you do know where she's at…just think…and you'll know exactly where she's at my love. Just close your eyes and think."
Confused, Simba did as she suggested and closed his eyes. Did he really know where Kiara was? The last time he saw he, he thought back too was when she was laying in his paws. Curled up beside his head. But that had been in his dream…right? She wasn't with him when he opened his eyes, so that couldn't be right. She couldn't have been in his arms. Because that had all been one long nightmare…
Wasn't it?
Panic and despair began to fill him up.
Wasn't it? He wanted to cry.
But what if it wasn't. What if the terrible things that had happened…hadn't been a dream but reality? What if he only wanted it to be a dream?
What if this was the true…that he was dreaming of being back in the Jungles with his family. Safe and sound. What if he was dreaming of Zuri and Musa because he had seen his bodies and knew they were dead but not Kopa and Eshe because he didn't know where they were? And Kiara…he didn't dream of her because he did know where she was at…
Gasping in shock and sadness at the realization, Simba opened his eyes to find himself this time once again face to face with his mate. "She's lying beside me in my arms…" he whispered watching as a small smile came over Zuri's face. He watched her nod her head slowly. "It…it wasn't a dream was it? This is the dream isn't it?" he watched her this time lower her eyes to the ground.
"No…no…" Simba shook his head clenching his eyes shut. "It can't be…I don't want to believe this is the dream…" his voice cracked.
"Neither do I my love…" lifting her eyes, Zuri stared into his. She reached out to lay her paw on his. A tearful smile on her muzzle. "But this is all I could do for you…" she told him. Simba was confused before he realized what she meant. For her had asked her to send him a sign…he looked at her wide eyed and watched as she nodded to confirm what he was thinking.
"But I asked…"
Zuri nodded. "Yes…I know what you asked…but I cannot tell you anything but give you word that you must have faith."
"So they are alive!?"
Zuri shook her head and sighed. "You must choose to believe what you want to believe Simba. But in your endless searches you are leaving duties behind. Kiara needs you Simba. She needs her Father…"
"She needs her mother too…" Simba whispered reaching out to nuzzle his nose against his mates. Tears filled Zuri's eyes. "But I am here Simba…you may not see me…but I am here. I will always be here…please…Simba for our daughter…have faith and continue on. Be there for her where I cannot…and know that everything will work out in the end…if you only have faith."
"Faith…how can I have faith if I keep worrying whether or not our son and daughter are still out there?" Simba demanded forcefully. He suddenly sported an apologetic look when he realized he had snapped at his mate. He never raised her voice to her in such a way. "Forgive me…"
Smiling, Zuri nuzzled her mate, licking his cheek she pressed her nose against his. "You just have to have faith…and take care of our little girl." As she said this her body started to disappear as she started loosing concentration and power over her mates dream. Seeing that his mate's body was starting to vanish, Simba's eyes widened. "No…No…No! Zuri you can't…please don't go….I need you!" he cried reaching out with his paw but it went right through her.
"I'm sorry my love…but I'm not truly gone…I'll always be with you…please remember…have faith and take care of Kiara!"
"Zuri…"
"Remember!"
"I…I will…" Simba stuttered. Tears spilling from his eyes. He watched one last tearful smile on his mates face before she finally vanished from his eyes. "No…Zuri…come back…come back!" The King pounced forward but she was already gone. "No…no…"
"ZURI!"
"ZURI!"
Eyes snapping open. Simba's head rose off his paws so quickly he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. Taking a moment for it to settle.
Panting, the King found that he was back in the main den back in Pride Rock. All around him his pride were all still fast asleep. In his arms Kiara stirred when she heard her father and felt him move.
It was all a dream…
Tears filled his eyes.
All a dream.
Closing his eyes, Simba reflected back to it. Playing with Musa and speaking with Zuri.
Have faith she said.
What did she mean by that? He wondered.
Sighing, Simba adjusted his arms when he felt his daughter move and saw that Kiara was now awake and looking up at him. "Mew?"
Trying to calm his racing heart. He also remembered what his mate had said about watching over Kiara and taking care of her.
Have faith and be there for Kiara…
Simba still wasn't sure what Zuri had meant by having faith. How could he have faith when he didn't know whether his son and daughter out there were still alive or if they were dead?
Sighing, the King looked at his daughter who mewed against at him. "Hey there my little princess…you shouldn't be up it's still…" that's when Simba noticed that the sun was starting to come up. Had he really been dreaming the entire night? "Well…I guess it's time to get up anyways…" looking at his cub he grinned running his tongue along her back listening while she purred at the attention. Smiling he nodded.
"I'll always look out for you my little princess. NOTHING will ever happen to you. I won't loose you like I lost the others. You will be safe as long as I live. I promised your mother and I promise you now." Giving Kiara another lick, he climbed to his paws picking his daughter up and began carrying her to the entrance. Around him he could see the rest of his pride was just beginning to rise but Simba paid them no heed. He just continued until he was out of the cave and then stopped when he noticed a cheetah making her way up the slope with a cub at her heels.
She smiled and bowed. "King Simba, good morning."
Nodding his head in return, Simba placed Kiara down. "Morning Gina. Thank you for coming again. Kiara needs the milk and…"
Gina just smiled sympathetically. The cub at her paws trotting over to Kiara to greet the little princess who seemed happy to see the friend she had made. "No need your majesty. I respected Queen Zuri; she did not deserve what had happened to her. I and many others in the Kingdom mourn her loss." Her eyes saddened. She had been heart broken to hear about the Queen's and young Prince's deaths. And the news of two royals missing upset many by the animals like the Pride could not find them and many thought they were dead as well.
She had been surprised when Zazu had shown up and said she was requested at Pride Rock. Even more surprised when he explained why. Not many knew the Queen was expecting another litter of cubs. But Gina had been happy to volunteer and be milk nurse for the Princess she was sitting nursing hers so it wouldn't have made such a deal. Plus it seemed her little cub now had a friend which pleased her.
Forcing a grin, Simba nodded his head. "Thank you nonetheless. I shall leave you to Kiara." Bending his head he nuzzled his daughter giving her one last lick over the head causing her to mew and squirm. "I'll be back later Kiara." He promised. He remembered back to his conversation with his mother and Nala the night before and Simba knew there was something that he needed to do.
"Simba?" the King looked back to see that Nala was coming up behind him. But Simba didn't really feel like talking to anyone. His mind still plagued with the dream he had just woken up from and what he knew he had to do that morning. Turning, he gave Gina one last thank you then quickly started making his way away from Pride Rock.
Behind him, Nala stood watching as the King walked away from her without a word said in her direction. Her shoulders stooped and she sighed. She knew he was hurting but she was really beginning to worry for him. She heard Sarabi and her mother come up beside her. Both lionesses had equal looks of worry on their faces.
"What's going to become of him Sarabi?" Sarafina asked looking at her life long friend.
The beige lioness stared after her son and sighed. "We need to give him time. He'll…he will come around…it's a hard thing…we both know what it's like Sarafina…he will get better…it always there but it does get better…" Sarabi answered. She knew the pain her son was going through and she knew Sarafina did from loosing Mheetu. She knew the pain and that it wouldn't completely go away. But it would get better in time.
Sighing once more, she tore her eyes away from where her son had disappeared from and looked toward Gina who was now lying beside a rock with Kiara nursing from her. Her eyes landed on Kiara and a small smile came over her face. She was just thankful that Kiara was still there and still alive.
It gave them hope.
It gave her hope.
And she knew it gave Simba hope as well.
Making his way from Pride Rock. Simba first made a stop where he buried his mate and son. Something he did every morning. Running his paw over the disturbed ground which was already covered with fallen leaves and flowers that seemed to want to grow there. The King turned and began making his daily rounds; it was during that time he had realized that he hadn't issued a search party for that morning. It was too late to go back and so Simba just kept on walking.
Heading toward the Water Hole. Simba bent and got his first drink of the day. It was there he would await Zazu who he was sure would be alone momentarily.
While he sat there he looked toward the rock where Kopa had once jumped from when he took his son out for his first patrol with him. He remembered how frightened he had been when he thought Kopa had drowned when he could not find his son at first. And for a brief moment he thought he caught the ghost of an image of his son leaping from the rock or in the water calling for him to come play.
He was so lost in his thoughts he hadn't heard Zazu calling out to him.
"Sire!"
Blinking, Simba turned his head to see that Zazu was sitting on a much smaller rock to his left. "Oh…Zazu…forgive me…I was thinking…"
The majordomo ruffled his feathers. Nodding. Yes, thinking indeed. He thought. The King seemed to be doing that a lot more often than not. But he could not blame the King and so had gladly done what he could to help the grieving lion. Bowing, Zazu started his report while Simba listened. In the end Simba asked, "What of the Outsiders?"
"It seems according to some of the animals that they have settled in the Outlands sire and don't seem to have any plans at moving." Zazu reported ruffling his feathers folding his wings against his sides.
Simba furrowed his brow and looked off into the direction the Outlands were in. He didn't expect them to settle out there for there was very little shelter and food and they had cubs. Simba did not regret his decision like he thought he would. Zira deserved what she got and he did not want any of her cubs near his pride and his daughter. But he had not expected them to stay out there. That worried him for he knew he would need to keep Kiara away from that border the older she got.
Turning back to the hornbill he grunted. "I want the animals to keep a close eye on that border. If they spot any Outsider trespassing I want them to report it."
"Of course your majesty. I shall get right on it…" Zazu spread his wings and was about ready to take flight when Simba spoke up again stopping him.
"Zazu…I have another request. One I need you to get right onto once you are done spreading the word to the animals." This caught Zazu's attention. "I need you to travel to the Rasheda's."
This certainly caught the hornbill by surprise. He hated the journey to the Jungles the last time but he knew how important it was to spread the news of Kopa's birth to them. The Rasheda's had after all helped raise and keep Simba safe until the time he was ready to return to the Pridelands. And their Prince had come with Nala with a few of their lionesses to help battle against Scar. So Zazu had no complaint. But this time he wished he did not have too. "But sire…"
"The Rasheda's are Zuri's family. They deserve to know what has happened to her…I cannot go there myself…but I want them to know…" Closing his eyes, Simba took a deep breathe. "Please Zazu…this will be the last time I swear."
The majordomo clenched his beak tight before huffing and nodding his head. "Very well sire…I shall get on it today…I will deliver the news for you and for Queen Zuri and lost prince's and princess" the hornbill held out his wings in a sweeping bow. When he saw that Simba had nothing more for him, the bird took to the sky to get to work on his last round before he would be the tiresome journey to the Jungles.
Sitting there by the waters edge, the King watched his majordomo take to the air and sighed. Closing his eyes, Simba hung his head knowing how much it was about to hurt the Rasheda's to hear of Zuri's death.
"I failed you Zuri…I failed to keep my promise to Jaali to protect you. Forgive me my friend…my brother…I could not do what I sworn I would…"
That's it for another chapter. What will happen when Zazu gets to the Jungles?
What's in store for the future?
Well we will just have to see.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter and please do remember to review. I like seeing them and knowing you enjoyed the chapter.
Oh and a shout out for my friend TRON0602. Check out his story The Tale of Two Kings.
