AN: Trying to get as many chapters done as I can before my birthday in two weeks. Since I'll be going out and then a week after I'll be going to a comedy show that I bought tickets for. Jeff Foxworthy!
Chapter 5
Cub in mouth, Kumai crawled her way out of the cave she had called home for a week and a half. She had stayed a few days longer then she told Zira she would. But she figured it would be best to make sure that Zawadi was capable of walking on her own. The cub was better but from time to time she would stumble and fall flat on her stomach and squeak until Kumai came and checked on her.
The lioness did not like how fast this cub was worming its way into her heart.
She had even named the cub after her late mother.
She knew she had to pick a name for she didn't know what the princess…no, she was no longer a princess; she was an outlander just like Kumai herself was. Zawadi was no longer Simba's. She was Kumai's. And that's how it would always be from now on. Neither she nor the others could let it slip that the cub wasn't truly hers.
Which was why she figured she had let herself get somewhat attached to the little squeaker.
But Kumai knew she couldn't let Zira know anything about that. If Zira were to find out that Kumai had somehow become attached to the cub, it would put an end to the plans that were set for Zawadi. She knew this for Zira had pointed it out to her the moment she had been brought to see the cub the day Kumai told her what she wanted to use Zawadi for.
She had warned the lioness that getting attached to the cub would ruin everything. Zawadi was to be a tool against Simba nothing more. By getting too attached it meant that Kumai would come between her and her revenge. If it weren't for Kumai coming up with this plan to begin with, Zira wouldn't have anything to hold over Simba once the time came.
And it wasn't just Zira's revenge. It was Kumai's as well.
She wanted revenge for Hawa.
That was another reason she told herself she shouldn't get attached. For when she first made the plan she planned on killing Zawadi right in front of Simba's eyes one day.
Well that HAD been the plan. Until Kumai felt herself getting attached. It was still too early to tell anything. Attachment wasn't love. She certainly didn't love the cub. But she did have mixed feelings that she worried would turn into that. She didn't want to get attached for she feared Zira taking the cub away and killing her. If Zawadi wasn't used for Zira's plans then Zira would have no use for her and enact her revenge one way or another even if it meant killing the cub. She killed that young prince she would have no quarrels killing the she-cub.
But there was no telling whether or not attachment would turn to love. The thought scared her.
From her mouth, Zawadi gave a mewing squeak when the sunlight hit her eyes. Though she could only see out of the one eye, both her tiny paws went up to cover it. This caused Kumai to smile in amusement of the cub. It wasn't like the cub hadn't seen sunlight before. Even locked in the cave for days she been to the entrance and seen the sunlight but she guessed being out in it with it shining directly on her face was something else entirely.
Turning her body so that it faced away from the rising sun, Kumai began to make her way toward the Outlands where her pride awaited her and her cub. She had heard the cubs were excited to have another amongst them. Vitani most of all when she had heard it was a female cub. Since they had lost their chance at being friends with Zuri's cubs they said they were excited to see Kumai's.
Even if they really didn't know the truth about the cubs true origins.
She heard the cubs had been shocked when they found out she been with cub all along and even questioned the reason for it wanting to be a surprise that the adults had given as an excuse. But in the end, the need for a new friend won over logic. With the loss of Kopa they felt like they needed someone new to play with other then themselves.
When the sun was out of her face, Zawadi's paws dropped from her eyes.
Her eyes.
That was something Kumai had to come up with another cover story for to explain the scars and blind eye the cubs was going to have for the rest of her life. But she was sure she had gone up with a decent one.
Zawadi mewed as she took in the world around her. She was starting to become use to the fact that she could only see with one eye. Her young mind thinking it was completely normal. She wouldn't learn the truth of what happened to her eyesight until she was some months old, Kumai knew that much. Although it wouldn't be the exact truth, it would still explain why she could only see out of one eye.
The cub dangled happily from her Mothers mouth. This was her first time out of the cave since that night she woke up cold and wet. She was happy to be able to see the world outside the cave. Well as excited as a three and a half week old cub could be. The array of scents that greeted her…were not something she expected. In the distance on the wind she could smell the scents of many animals, but in the direction that her Mother was carrying her, all Zawadi could smell was sand and the faint scent of those other lionesses that came to see her and her mother in the cave. Those who brought them food.
Zawadi was never sure what to make of those lionesses. For they rarely came anywhere near her.
They would bring food, drop it off, speak with her mother and then leave.
They were certainly strange.
Then there was that even stranger lioness that she spotted a few times standing in the corner of the cave. Just watching her and her mother. But only she seemed to be able to see her for her mother never paid any attention to the stranger. She was brown in fur and had blue eyes that seemed to hold sadness. This lioness however seemed to acknowledge her for whenever Zawadi would wave her paw, the lioness would wave back and then smile at her. But as quickly as Zawadi always saw her, she was then gone again.
Body jostling, Zawadi gave a squeak in protest noticing her mother was not traveling at a much faster pace. Kumai wanted to get them as far away from the Pridelands as possible before they were spotted. She had heard from Baya that the Pridelanders patrolled their borders like clockwork and she wanted to get her daughter to the termite mounds which were far from the eyes of the Pridelanders.
Kumai was still not sure of what to make of the prides new home. Revenge plan or not. Kumai had hoped they would chance it at finding a new place to live far from the Pridelands and where there was more food and water. But none seemed to wish to defy Zira. For there really was no telling how far they'd have to travel to find a land not governed by another pride. Problem was they could die of starvation and such before they reached a land but Kumai also thought bitterly to herself that they could starve out in the Outlands if they weren't careful.
So far she heard the others had risked going near the Eastern and Southern lands to try and hunt what they could before they were caught. None were willing to risk the Pridelands. Not at this moment in time anyways.
Besides what little food they brought her, Kumai had been surviving off mice as well as feeding them to Zawadi who appeared to be getting better at eating meat. Kumai wasn't quite sure how it would affect the cub's development. But there really was no other way, for there was no way that Kumai could get the cub milk.
But so far the cub seemed to be doing just fine.
The lioness could tell she was getting ever closer to the pride by how strong their scents were becoming.
It wasn't long until the termite mounds became apparent in the horizon. Kumai had a gut feeling she just wasn't going to like living there. She just wished she could go back to the cave it was a much better living place then the termite mounds. It wasn't such a great place to live much less raise cubs in.
But she wasn't about to argue with Zira. She had gotten the Queen on her side with the plan that was good enough for her. And yes, that's exactly what Zira was. A Queen. Ever since Kumai had called that her to suck up the lioness, Zira had proclaimed herself as Queen of the Outlands and had issued that all must address her as such. And address Kovu as their Prince. But it wasn't just Kovu they had decided to address as such.
To assure that Nuka and Vitani did not feel left out. They now addressed them as Prince and Princess whenever they felt like making the cubs smile. But it did seem only right, given both Nuka and Vitani held the blood of the Pridelands royal family. Even if it was Scar's side of the family, they still held royal blood in them.
It was only Kovu who didn't. But Kovu was heir to Scar according to the ex Kings wishes. So there really was no point in arguing. Kovu was the chosen one in Zira's eyes.
"Kumai!"
A familiar excited cry made her lift her eyes and smile behind the cub she was carrying. She watched as from around the nearest termite mound a pale golden cub with an ever present tuft of hair atop her head coming bounding her way. A large smile cracked across her muzzle. It was good to see the little princess smiling. For last she saw Vitani, she was still in tears about Zuri and Kopa's deaths. Although as the cub came closer, Kumai could still see how red her eyes were rimmed meaning she did cried about it.
"Auntie Kumai, welcome back!" Vitani greeted. All but bouncing on the spot. Her eyes going wide when she took in what or more like whom Kumai was carrying.
They had all been shocked to find out that Kumai had been expecting a cub all along but hadn't told them about it. They were told that Kumai wanted to surprise them with a new friend when the time came. It sounded odd but they strangely accepted it. Because each of them wanted a new friend. But Vitani knew no one could really replace Kopa, whom she still mourned every day along with mourning Zuri and the loss of her old home.
Vitani also knew that her brothers were the same. But Nuka, unlike Kovu who at times cried openly, he would cry in secret. He thought if he showed tears around their mother again she would call him weak like he had before. Vitani couldn't understand it, why didn't grown lions cry? She wondered. For that was exactly what her mother said. But it didn't matter, Nuka would cry when he thought he was alone and no one could hear him.
"Is this she?" the cub asked she had been excited to hear the cub that Kumai bore had been a girl. Vitani watched while Kumai nodded her head lightly while placing the cub down at her paws. Keeping a hold of her until Zawadi had her balance and could stand on her own.
"Yes, Vitani. This is Zawadi, my daughter." Kumai answered trying to sound proud of that fact. But oddly enough there was some real pride in her voice but she tried to shake that off.
Smiling, Vitani crouched down low until she was close to Zawadi. What a pretty name, she thought. She took in the cubs colouring, which she found odd because it was nothing like Kumai's pale greyish coat. The cub was chocolaty brown with a white muzzle and underbelly. With blotches of white on her front paws that went until her elbows then stopped, her back paws were completely brown like the rest of her.
There was something oddly familiar of the cub. But Vitani could not put her paw on it. Then she remembered that her colouring reminded her of the late Queen Zuri. This made Vitani sad to think of the Queen she loved and lost. But Zawadi also reminded her of Kovu both in colour and eyes of green so unlike Kumai's orangey ones. That was when Vitani really took notice of the cubs face causing her to rear back in shock gasping. "What happened to her Auntie?"
Knowing what the cub meant, Kumai sighed and shook her head trying to appear sad that something had happened to her daughter. "I'll explain later Vitani, but first I must show her to the others and your mother." Bending her head, Kumai grabbed Zawadi once more by the back of the neck.
Zawadi herself mewed, taking in the sight of the strange she-cub in front of her. Wondering who exactly this new cub was. She didn't know her by appearance or by smell. Mewing, she reached out and batted playfully at Vitani's nose when she leaned in close to her again. Giggling when she watched the other cub rear back again from her at the contact.
"She hit me!" Vitani complained looking at Kumai who snorted and mumbled through clenched teeth.
"Cubs do that." Stepping around the cub, Kumai began making her way toward the mounds with Vitani soon falling in line along side her. Reaching the main entrance of the mounds that the pride had dug when they arrived, Kumai found the rest of the pride resting from the heat of the day. Their heads rising when they saw who it was who entered.
Kovu and Nuka who been laying along side the lionesses jumped to their paws and hurried their way over to greet the lioness.
"Welcome back Kumai!" shouted Kovu.
"Why didn't you tell us you were having a cub?" asked Nuka just as loudly.
Neither cub realizing just how loud their loud voices echoed in Zawadi's little ears. Startling the cub, who in seconds started crying. Taken back at the suddenly upset cub, Kovu and Nuka clamped their mouths shut. "You can't be so loud around newborns boys," Spotty spoke softly coming up behind them and gave them both a small clap on the head with her paw. Making them both groan and rub it with their own.
"We didn't mean too…" Kovu mumbled as the small ach lessened until it was fully gone.
Setting Zawadi down, Kumai ran her tongue along the cubs back to sooth her and calm her down. The touch of her mother seemed to do the trick for her cries turned to soft stifles in the end. "There now…" she whispered when the cub raised her head to look up at her. Kumai smiled which in the end made the cub smile tearfully at her as well.
The other lionesses caught this exchange and looked at one another. None of them wanted Kumai to get attached to the cub but each of them saw that she was every time they went to check on her and bring her whatever scraps or hunts from the East and South they could find. Kumai had promised Zira that she wouldn't get attached to the cub which would be used in the Queen's plans against Simba. Each of them knew it was a heart break waiting to happen if anyone got attached.
But each and every lioness knew how hard it was not to become attached to cubs. Nuka; Kovu and Vitani weren't even theirs and they were already attached to them and would protect them as much as they could. It was why whatever meal they could find they would give to them the most of it. All of them worried about getting attached to this little she-cub.
All but Dotty. The lioness was still sore over Hawa's death but agreed with hurting Simba by using his daughter. But some part of her didn't know what good it would do avenging Hawa by using the cub. It wasn't Simba who killed Hawa officially. Zira said it had been Nala and Kana who had done the killing of her friend. Raising her head from where she had it resting on her paws she eyed the cub at Kumai's paws and snorted. That little thing wasn't going to last out in the middle of nowhere, she thought.
Dotty betted to herself that the cub wouldn't last to its second month.
Asma though stood and made her way over toward Kumai to welcome the new member of their pride. She may not have been born into it but she was adopted nonetheless and was now a member. Unaware to the others, Asma had other plans for the cub. She wasn't going to let Zira abuse the cub for her own gain which she knew she would. The cub may be here to raise so she can be used against Simba but that didn't mean Asma thought she should be abused like Zira planned in her future training that would involve the cub.
The lioness could still remember the words of Queen Zuri and the look she had given her when she had laid on the ground. She sighed looking upon the cub.
I feel for you little Princess…But don't worry life here won't be so bad…Auntie Asma is here for you and your…mother will take good care of you. She thought lifting her eyes from the cub to Kumai. She could tell by the look in Kumai's eyes and the way she looked at her that Kumai would take good care of the cub as much as she could.
"What was that noise!?"
All who was present tensed at the sound of Zira's voice when the Outland Queen came storming out of the back parts of the mound where she had claimed for herself. She had just been resting when she was rudely awaked by this screeching cry which quickly stopped soon after it had happened. But that was when she picked up the voices of her pride talking.
Wondering what exactly had gotten into her cry and what that cry had been. Zira had gotten up leaving her private cavern and made her way over to where she could hear her pride conversing. Making her way over to them she pushed past them when they didn't move out of her way quick enough.
Stopping when she saw what all the commotion about, for there lying right in front of her was that brown and white cub she remembered from the night she killed the Pridelander Queen. Bolts of pleasure shot through her when she took notice once more of the wounds she had delivered upon the cub. Those wounds the cub would have for the rest of her life. Even if the cub would never know what caused them, they would forever please Zira whenever she would look upon them.
Vitani smiled up at her mother. "Kumai brought her cub home Mommy." She turned her attention back to Zawadi who was staring up at everybody with wide eyes and a curious look on her face. Vitani still wondered where she had gotten those cuts from and why her eye was gray rather then green like the other one was.
"I can see that…Welcome home Kumai…" Zira started eyeing the lioness whose ears folded back just a bit against her head. "Tell us…what is your 'daughters' name?"
Squaring her shoulders, Kumai glanced down at Zawadi then to Zira. She felt uneasy by the way Zira kept looking at the cub with that power hungry look in her eyes. She placed her paw down beside her…yes her, cub. "Her name is Zawadi. I named her Zawadi." She didn't say who she had named the cub after she didn't want Zira to know that. But the others all knew who the cub was named after. For they had all known her mother where Zira had not.
"Zawadi…" Zira repeated the name. She looked down at the cub. So Kumai had named the nameless cub Zawadi. Good, it made it even less obvious for Simba to know they had her. She would train the cub beside her own and she would raise her to hate Simba. Zira could not wait to see the look on Simba's face when he saw his very own daughter fighting against him and supporting her own son as future King. Then once Simba was dead she would reveal to Zawadi the truth…just to see the pain and confusion on her face before Zira killed her.
"Well then…" leaning her head down to face the cub. "I guess I should welcome the cub personally…oh my…" Zira leaned away with fake concern on her face. "What happened to her Kumai?"
Kumai glanced at Zira and could see the lioness was holding back the smirk she wanted to know. Sighing, Kumai draped her paw over the cub and made her face look sad. "I left her for just a little while…in order to go and hunt. When I came back I discovered she had crawled out of the cave. She drew the attention of some vultures nearby…I guess they must have been looking for an easy meal and thought that Zawadi was exactly that. I heard her cries and came running…I managed to chase them off but they still got her in the face…it was then I noticed just how extent the wounds had been…they got her eye good…I'm…I'm afraid she's blind in her left eye…" Kumai had to think of finding her sister's dead body in order to bring forth any amount of tears to make the lie believable.
The three cubs in the room gasped at hearing that the new member of their pride would forever be blind in her own eye. Nuka looked down at Zawadi and stepped forth until he was close enough to lean his head down and get a good look at her. That was when he really took notice of the greyness that was the cubs left eye. Just like Kumai said. He stopped breathing a bit when the cub suddenly looked up at him raising her head so that their noses met. Green and grey met reddish hues.
Wow she's pretty…who does she remind me of? Nuka wondered. Unable to really think, he just grinned at the cub who smiled back at him. Nuka wasn't sure what it was but something in his blood told him that this cub was important to him in some way. But he couldn't really tell.
"Hey stop hogging her!" Kovu snapped pushing his brother out of the way. Stepping in front of Zawadi he grinned back down at what he figured would be his new friend. "Wow…she's like me!" he said grinning when he noticed that she was brown of fur like him and green of eyed.
Zira had to bite back a growl. How dare her son compare himself to that…that THING! He was so much more than she would ever be. He was the Chosen One. He was the rightful heir of the Pridelands. While she was really the spawn of a usurper. She would never be anything like her son. He was better than her in everyway.
In front of her, all three older cubs were starting to push at each other trying to get a good look at the newcomer and all wanting to play her. None more than Vitani who was excited to have a female cub to play with. But all three stopped when Zawadi started showing signs of getting fussy. That was when Kumai stepped in, "Alright you three that's enough. She's still too little to play with any of you too much. I think it's time for her nap." A protective motherly tone sounded in her voice. Her orangey eyes looked at Zira who was watching her critically. Taking a deep breath and not saying a word she picked up her cub and carried her away from the group.
Aware that she was being followed. But thankfully not by Zira. Finding a comfortably spot…or least semi comfortable spot, and laid down. Placing Zawadi down beside her, Kumai watched while the cub climbed to her paws and waddled until she managed to crawl her way into her arms in front of her. That appeared to be the cubs favourite spot since that night the two of them fell asleep like that. The night she gave Zawadi her name.
"She's so cute."
Kumai lifted her eyes to see that the three older cubs were watching her. "Yes…yes she is."
"When will she be able to play with us?" Kovu asked as he settled down near Kumai 's side while Vitani settled near her arms and Nuka sat beside Kumai staring down at the cubs in her arms.
"In another week or so. She can already walk but she's still much too small do so any…rough housing." Kumai pointed out giving them a stern look. She could tell by the sheepish looks on their faces that they knew exactly what she meant by rough housing. These cubs loved to wrestle especially after their mother put them in their 'special' training that had been disguised as their hunting lessons.
"We won't!"
"We promise!"
"Yeah, we promise we won't be too rough!"
Kumai; Spotty and Asma who had come to join them while the others went out to get some of the food they had stored in a cool place in the mounds, all grinned and chuckled.
"We're sure you won't be." Spotty chuckled laying her hand on Vitani's head ruffling the tuft of hair that was there. The she-cub giggled but it subsided when they heard Zira calling for the cubs.
"I guess your mother has your dinner for you, you should go before she gets upset." Asma pointed out nudging each of the cubs one by one with her paw.
"But…"
"Go on now."
Groaning the cubs got to their paws. Each giving Zawadi one last look, and a smile or grin. "We'll see you later Zawadi!" Kovu and Vitani said before scampering off. It was only Nuka who stayed behind.
Looking at the older male cub, Kumai grinned "You should go and have something to eat Nuka. Before Kovu and Vitani steal it off and leave you none." She watched as a contemplated look came over Nuka's face confusing the three lionesses. They wondered what the cub was thinking about to make him look like he was confused about something and trying to figure it out.
What seemed longer but was really only several seconds Nuka asked. "Will it be alright if I sleep beside you and Zawadi tonight after dinner Kumai?"
Blinking her eyes, Kumai wasn't sure what to say. It wasn't like Nuka hadn't slept beside her in the past. In fact the cub did whenever he was lonely. He would always choose one lioness to lie beside and they would comfort the cub. But Nuka had never asked whether it would be alright if he should, he always just ended up doing it during the middle of the night.
Considering it for a second, Kumai nodded. "Sure you can Nuka. Just go and eat first." She saw no problem with the cub sleeping beside her. She watched a large smile crack across Nuka's muzzle happy at the fact that Kumai was allowing him to sleep beside her and her cub.
"Thanks!" With that the young male turned and bounded off in the direction his brother and sister had gone.
The three lionesses watched him run off with small grins. "Wonder why he wanted to sleep beside you and the cub all the sudden?" Asma pondered out loud. But none of them knew the answer and so all they could do was shrug.
Kumai turned her attention down to Zawadi who was lying on her back in her arms staring up at them with wide curious eyes. The new mother smiled and nuzzled the cub's stomach with her nose causing Zawadi to burst into a fit of giggles.
Watching this Asma and Spotty were unsure of what to think or say. In the end Spotty sighed and asked. "Kumai what are you doing?"
"Playing the role as mother, that's what I'm doing. If you want these cubs to really believe she is mine I have to play the part." Was Kumai's quick answer. The lioness went from tickling the cub's tummy to bathing her seeing that she had some dust on her which Kumai wasn't to quickly get rid of. As well as some small termites she saw crawl on the cub. Something she would not have. She would not have these pests crawling on her daughter.
"You named her after your mother." Asma pointed out.
"It was the only name I could think of at the time." Kumai stated matter-of-factly.
"Kumai…you cannot grow attached to her." Spotty sighed making the other lioness look at her. "You know what Zira would do if you did. She's here for one thing."
"I know Spotty. It was I who came up with the idea. I know why she's here. But…she's a cub. I can't treat her like she's done something wrong. We always believed that cubs shouldn't ever be held accountable for what their parents did."
"Then why is she here? Why not just bring her back to Simba…"
"Because…I need her." Was Kumai's only answer. Yes, she did need the cub. For her own revenge and for reasons she could not really understand. She wanted the cub. She wanted Zawadi for her own. Kumai had no real blood family left. She wanted something to make the pain go away. Zawadi would serve as that. But she couldn't tell that to any of them.
Asma and Spotty didn't have much to say before they saw Nuka come running back in their direction and settle himself down beside Kumai. He set down some scraps he had brought for Kumai. Giving Kumai one last look the two lionesses turned and headed off to find some food for themselves and settle down while they thought of what Kumai had said.
They joined the others were they had already finished their own meals. Grabbing what was left over Asma and Spotty started to dig in.
Dotty who was watching Kumai closely from where the other lioness laid across the cavern with Nuka. The young male seemed enticed with Zawadi. A grin on his muzzle. She wondered what it was about the cub that interested Nuka do much. She scoffed "You think it's wise to keep that thing here?"
"She is not a thing Dotty." Spotty reprimanded her sister.
"Kumai is treating her like she is some sort of replacement for Hawa!"
"She is not." Baya spoke up from where she was lounging. "We all know nothing could ever replace Hawa. That cub is just part of Zira's plan more then she is Kumai's. We all know that. Zawadi will always be part of Zira's plan the moment Kumai told her about it." Which was true and Baya knew they all knew it too. They all knew the moment Kumai told Zira about the plan, the plan ceased from being Kumai's and went straight to being Zira's.
Even if Kumai now had a change of heart she could not go back on it for Zira wanted that cub. She wanted her to use against Simba and she was going to do exactly that. But that didn't mean they weren't concerned for Kumai. If Kumai wanted to get attached that was her choice but that didn't meant they wouldn't worry about it for her.
"For now we just have to trust in what's going on…be there for Kumai…and make sure we all survive." Spotty stated as she stared down at the tiny bits of food she had left. Sighing, she picked them up, she didn't like it but Kumai was correct there really was no point in treating Zawadi like she was the enemy. That was Zira's job. Not theirs.
With that thought she took the food over to Kumai where she would have her share it with the cub. She still wasn't sure how it was going to be raising the daughter of the enemy but she did know she could be there for Kumai and the cub and make sure the cub lived long enough to see if Zira's plans would unfold.
"Over here Zawadi!"
"No! Come to me Za'!"
"You morons, she's not going to come to you. She's going to come to me. Over here Zawadi, come to me. Follow MY voice!"
Kumai groaned as she awakened from her mid-afternoon nap. Her body pressed up against the side of the termite mound that gave off the most shade from the sun. She been sleeping peacefully…at first. She had volunteered as cub-sitter while the others went out scavenging for food. It was disgraceful that it had come to that. Scavenging for food like that had to do during Scar's reign. But least unlike that time during the Pridelands, the Outlands had ways into the other Kingdoms that still had food.
And from time to time they could catch something or a stray wandering animal could come through the Outlands.
She had just dosed off into a nice well needed nap when she heard the cubs shouting at one another or more importantly to her annoyance they were shouting at her daughter.
Lifting her head she glared over to where the cubs were. When Kumai had first fallen asleep she had Zawadi along side her but it seemed the older cubs had led her away out of the shade.
She watched first with a slight smile at seeing the happy look on Zawadi's face. The cub really did seem to enjoy the company of the older cubs. The cub also squeaked and mewed happily but her head was now whipping back and forth between each cub that was standing in different locations telling her to come to one of them. And by the confusion in the cub's one good eye, Zawadi wasn't sure who to go to.
"Zawadi, no don't go to Nuka!"
"Oh shut up Vitani, you're only jealous that she likes me more!"
"I am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"You're both wrong. You're both jealous that she likes me more!" Kovu shouted out with a proud smile. Even though Zawadi had yet to even make any move toward any of the three calling out for her.
Shaking her head, Kumai adjusted her body. It was a small move of her body that caught Zawadi's attention. The cub briefly looked at her when the others were distracted by their constant bickering. Kumai smiled at her and nodded for the cub to come over to her. Which with a look of joy, and a squeak Zawadi turned and began to run toward her mother.
It had been five days since Kumai had brought her new adoptive daughter to join the pride. During which those days Kumai had kept Zawadi close to her and began teaching the cub as best she could. So far, Zawadi had perfected in being able to walk much to the older cub's joy since that meant they could play with Zawadi. She was just learning how to run and though she stumbled from time to time she was doing well at it.
The only thing Zawadi had yet to learn how to do that she thought the cub would have been able to do was speak. She knew the others started speaking within the end of their first or through their second month. But Kumai guessed every cub had their time when they were ready to do their own thing.
Zawadi had been confused when each of the older cubs kept calling for her wanting her to head in different directions. When she started going toward one, the other two would shout at her not too. But when her mother caught her attention and called her over with a head gesture, Zawadi squeaked and ran toward her ignoring the others that shouted for her to stop and come to them.
But rather then stopping she continued her way over towards her mother. Mewing and bouncing around when she reached her. Chuckling, Kumai reached out and grabbed the cub drawing her closer. "Hey there squeaker. Were they being mean to you?"
Mean? Zawadi thought. She was still learning what new words meant. It took a moment to figure it out but she soon knew what mean was. So in answer she nodded her head vigorously to her mother's question. Chuckling, Kumai licked the top of the cubs head making her squeak.
"Auntie we were having fun!" Vitani whined running toward the lioness with her brothers in toe.
"Yeah!" Both Nuka and Kovu echoed.
Lifting her head, Kumai gave them a stern look. "You three were taunting her. Zawadi is still learning. She can play with all of you but do not make her do things she can't understand. She doesn't understand what all three of you want." She told them sternly watching as they each ducked their heads down in shame.
Sighing, Kumai shook her head at them. "Just take it easy."
Smiling, they all lifted their heads. "We will!"
Kumai looked down when she heard Zawadi giggled and found the cub rolling around on the ground holding her tail like she was pretending to battle with it. Smiling, Kumai looked up and said "Why don't you three go play and leave Zawadi here. It's much too hot for a cub her age to be out in the sun right now."
The three cubs groaned and their shoulders stooped before Vitani shoved Kovu. "Lets hunt then we can show mom now much we've improved!" Grinning, the younger cub agreed and both he and Vitani soon ran off to practice their hunting skills. Leaving Nuka, once more with Kumai and Zawadi. When they were gone. Nuka lay down beside Kumai so that Zawadi was on the ground in front of him still battling with her own tail.
Kumai watched the young male. Ever since the day she arrived, Nuka had slept by her and Zawadi only leaving when Zira ordered him too. She wondered why Nuka was so interested in her cub when she asked one night Nuka just said.
"I feel like she's important to me. Like she's family."
How true he was, he just didn't know he was. And probably never would until they were all old enough. But whatever the case may be she was happy Nuka and the others were taking a liking too Zawadi. But it appeared that Zira wasn't too pleased with the fact that her cubs were taking a liking to a cub of the lion who had banished them.
But what did Zira expect?
They were cubs and cubs played with each other.
"Zawadi no, don't chew your own tail." Nuka reached out with his paw to take the tail out of the other cub's mouth. He laughed when she gave him a tiny glare then tried to grab her tail back from him. "Well then don't chew your tail." Nuka teased her bending his head to nudge her with his nose. Giggling Zawadi reached up clamping onto his nose with her paws to which Nuka lifted the cub slightly off the ground.
"Careful now Nuka," Kumai warned.
Nodding his head, Nuka then gently laid Zawadi back on the ground. The young male lifted his head when a roar sounded. "Mom!" He grinned jumping to his paws, he stopped and looked down at Zawadi, nuzzling her once then bounding off to where both Vitani and Kovu were heading. All of them by now had recognized their mothers roar.
Kumai watched them all run off with a sigh. It was no more then two days ago that Zira had started her training. She had insisted upon Zawadi joining but Kumai put her paw down and said her daughter was simply much too young. If she joined in how she would be nothing more than a batting toy for the others. She was sure that the other cubs wouldn't try and hurt Zawadi but each cub seemed more then happy to try and please their mother in any means necessary.
Looking down at her adoptive daughter Kumai said. "One day you'll join them…" she said when she caught Zawadi looking off the way the other cubs had gone all wondering where they were going.
Turning her head to look back at her mother, Zawadi mewed and padded over to her. Lifting her paws to rest them on Kumai's arm she stared up at her mother with wide eyes. Grinning, Kumai licked the cub on the head. "Best stay in the shade, that way you won't get overheated and sick." She would take this as the perfect opportunity to have a nap since her last one had ended as soon as it had begun thanks to the rowdiness of the cubs.
But with only Zawadi with her, it would be easier to get that nap in. Laying her head down she turned it to look at her cub. "Why don't you nap with mommy and when the cubs get back you can go play again." Closing her eyes she missed the sad look that came over Zawadi's face.
The cub did not want to nap.
She wanted to play.
Zawadi thought she spent too much time napping and staying by her mother. But she did tire out more quickly then the other cubs did. Mewing she reached out and poked her mothers face but got no response from the lioness. "Mew?" she poked again and even patted the cheek but still Kumai was passed out pleased that she could get a nap in.
Zawadi sat back with her head hanging just a bit her body slumped forward. The young cub did not like it that her mother hardly seemed to play with her. Neither did the other lionesses. The only ones who really seemed to play with her were the cubs. Peeking up at her sleeping mother, Zawadi then stomped her tiny paws to lie on the ground beside her mother. Her paw on occasion reaching out to bat at her mother's tail which would flick whenever she touched it. Giggling the she-cub continued to play with her mother's tail, rolling onto her back she grabbed the tail and tossed it in the air with her paws and continued to bat at it for her own amusement.
The cub was playing with the tail minding her own business when she heard a sudden noise. Like a rock rolling across the ground. Turning her head, Zawadi eyed a stone tumbling across the ground not far from her.
Huh? Where did that come from? Why was it rolling? She thought. She quickly rolled onto her stomach and tensed when she saw a small figure come bounding on past a set of rocks. The figure looked like that of a cub brown like Kovu and yet at the same time it wasn't Kovu. For the mass of the figure was much too small to be Kovu. But he was brown just like Kovu was. But he also didn't have the cub's dark brown tuft of hair on the head. And this cub had chocolate coloured eyes unlike Kovu's green.
"Mew?" Zawadi cocked her head to the side watching the cub pounce at the rock on the ground and send it rolling again. The cub seemed to pay no heed to Zawadi or perhaps he didn't notice her.
Suddenly both curious and cautious as to whom this stranger was. Zawadi turned back to her mother and batted her in the legs with her paws. "Mew? Meeeeewww!"
Kumai groaned and turned her head in another direction away from the mewing cub. "Mommy's trying to sleep Zawadi…please lay down." Was all she mumbled giving a loud wide yawn then settled back into a peaceful sleep.
Watching her mother, Zawadi saw that she wasn't going to wake. Then turning her attention back to the strange cub when she heard the clicking of the rock hitting the ground again. This time however she saw it coming toward her. It stopped however just before it reached her paws. Blinking her eyes she raised them to see that the strange cub was now sitting a few feet from her and watching her intently.
"Mew?" the cub cocked his head and motioned to the rock at Zawadi's paws.
Looking at the rock, then at the cub, Zawadi pointed at it which the cub eagerly nodded his head. Looking back at her mother to see that she was fast asleep, Zawadi picked the rock up in her mouth and began carrying it over to the cub rather then kick it back to him. But suddenly the other cub turned and began running off the way he had come from.
Confused, Zawadi didn't even stop to think instead she followed after the cub wondering where he was going. Her paws running to keep up. Thankfully without stumbling this time.
Reaching the set of rocks that the strange cub had disappeared around, Zawadi quickly followed after him and saw that he was still running on ahead of her. But the she-cub did not stop her curiosity getting the better of her she just kept on following after him. Taking turns around rock formation after rock formation until she rounded one and came to a sudden halt when she realized the strange cub was no longer alone.
For sitting there were two strange lions. A dark male like the cub but his mane was a bright golden colour. His eyes sky blue. And a dark lioness with sapphire eyes. Her paw was resting atop the head of the strange cub who was rubbing up against it squeaking happily.
Dropping the rock in her mouth, Zawadi let it roll across the ground. It seemed that sound was enough to make the two grown dark lions look her way. Their eyes filled first with surprise then they softened. The lion's eyes seemed filled with wisdom and playfulness while the lioness's eyes held a soft loving nurturing look to them but also a tad bit of sadness.
"Hello there." The dark male greeted. "Where did you come from?"
Zawadi felt her body tense and she backed away a bit lowering herself down to the ground.
The dark lioness smacked her companions arm. "Father, I think you spooked her."
Rubbing his arm, the dark male grumbled and shot a look at the lioness that just looked back at him in a mocking but stern way. Getting to her paws, the dark lioness made her way over to Zawadi. "Hello there sweetheart. Who might you be?"
Zawadi looked up with only her eyes keeping her body low to the ground. But her ears did flick at the lioness's voice. Which to Zawadi sounded oddly familiar but she couldn't put her paw on it. Her nose twitched trying to pick up any scent coming off the lioness but strangely she could not detect any scent on them. "Mew?"
"Oh…you can't talk yet?' the dark lioness asked. Zawadi nodded her head. The lioness's sapphire eyes softened. "Well…I'm sure you will soon enough. All cubs do things in their own time."
Who was this lioness?
Why didn't she have any scent?
Why did she almost appear see through?
"It's okay little one. We won't harm you." The dark male said reassuringly making his way over to stand beside the dark lioness. The strange cub poked his head out from between the lioness's legs and smiled at Zawadi. "Little ones like you shouldn't be out here all alone." he added.
Even though she could not speak, Zawadi wouldn't know what to say. She remembered what her mother had taught her about not saying anything to strangers much less be around strangers. Her mother said strangers were bad.
But the more she stared at the dark lioness with the beautiful sapphire eyes, Zawadi felt calmer and at ease. Almost like she knew this lioness from somewhere and that she would never hurt her. She even found herself smiling back at the lioness when she bent her head until she was eye level with Zawadi. "Don't be afraid my little one…you will always be safe while I am around. I could never harm you. I watch over you every day to make sure you are safe."
Zawadi tilted her head. What did the dark lioness mean by that? She did not know nor could her mind really process it. "Mew?" she nudged the rock she had brought with her and pointed toward the stranger dark cub.
"Oh…thank you for bringing back my sons toy. He likes playing with rocks. Don't you my Musa?" The dark lioness looked down at the cub sitting between her paws. Looking up at his mother the cub nodded his head vigorously. "That's my beautiful boy." The dark lioness nuzzled the cub then turned her attention back to Zawadi and smiled adoringly at her. "You're a beautiful little cub too. But you poor thing…that eye of yours…" Zawadi was suddenly confused why the lioness then looked so sad and had tears in her eyes.
Why was she sad?
Zawadi suddenly felt like she wanted to comfort this lioness. Getting to her paws, Zawadi reached out to touch her when she heard her mother frantically calling out for her.
"ZAWADI…ZAWADI WHERE ARE YOU!?"
The she-cub took notice that the two dark lions seemed to notice her mother calling for her too. The dark lioness suddenly looked sadder as the dark lion patted her arm and nodded her head in the opposite direction like it was time to go but the dark lioness shook her head like she was saying she did not want too. The dark cub wrapped his paws around his mother's leg like he was trying to comfort her and mewed nuzzling her paw.
"ZAWADI!?"
This time Zawadi turned her head in the direction she heard her mother. Climbing fully to her paws she mewed loudly and squeaked as loud as she could in order to catch her mother's attention. She turned to face the strangers only to find them gone. "Mew?" She called out but got no answer.
Hearing the scraping of hurried paws on the ground, Zawadi turned her head to see her mother come running around the bend. "Zawadi!" tears in her eyes Kumai bolted toward her daughter and laid herself on the ground gathering the cub in her arms.
When Kumai had woken from her nap much earlier then she hoped but she had heard the others returning with food from a successful hunt near the Southern border. Her starving stomach won over her need for a nap. She had turned half expecting to find a napping Zawadi behind her but saw that the cub was nowhere to be found.
That was when Kumai felt a wave of suddenly terror she had never felt before when she found the cub missing. But it wasn't long until she found paw prints leading away from where she was. They were faint in the dust but still there. Not wasting a second she ran after her cub worrying about her suddenly getting caught by some vulture or other predator. Heck even a snake would not think twice of making a meal out of a cub Zawadi's size.
Holding the cub in her arms, Kumai held her close and tight. She didn't realize she could ever feel something like what she felt to discover Zawadi gone. And for a moment she secretly sympathized with the late Queen Zuri when she woke to find her eldest cub missing. Pulling away she eyed her cub sternly. "Don't you ever scare me like that again!"
Zawadi shrank back from her mother whimpering with tears in her eyes. But Kumai would not have herself falling for the tears again. She had been too upset. "Mew?"
Standing, Kumai stared down at the cub. "Don't ever run off like that. Ever Zawadi. You could have been hurt or worst killed." She watched the cub slump her body and sighed. Bending down she nuzzled the cub. "I was very worried. Now…your aunts brought you some food back…lets see how you like antelope, hm?" Rubbing the cubs back she began to turn and leave expecting the cub to follow.
Zawadi though looked back behind her wondering where those strangers had gone. "Mew…" she called out softly but there was no response nor did they show themselves.
"Zawadi keep up!"
Jumping at the tone in her mother's voice. The young cub quickly started heading on after her mother but found her to be too far ahead now. She mewed for her to slow down but Kumai did not. Furrowing her brow. Zawadi picked up her paws only to trip over her own tail and fall face first into the ground.
Lifting her head tears in her eyes, her paw going to her nose. Zawadi whimpered. Looking up she saw her mother hadn't noticed. She mewed but Kumai was in too much of a hurry to get back for food before it was all gone. Opening her mouth, Zawadi started to cry out, moving it like she seen the others do and mouth letters like she seen them speak.
"M…Ma….ma…ma…MAMA!"
Kumai stopped when she heard her adoptive daughter call out to her. Not mew or squeak but actually speak. And not just any word at that…but mama…Zawadi had called her Mama…
Turning around she suddenly noticed the cub was on the ground stifling and holding her nose. It didn't take her long to figure out what had happened. She had seen Nuka; Vitani and Kovu do similar things when they tripped and hit something on their face. Quickly hurrying over, Kumai bent her head and licked the cub's nose. "You called me Mama…"
"Mama!" Zawadi squeaked. Happy that, that had gotten her mothers attention.
Smiling, and feeling a happiness Kumai did not think was possible, she nuzzled the cub. "Yes dear…I'm Mama." This time, Kumai grabbed the cub by the neck and gently picked her up. A warmth spreading through her, she turned and continued her way on home to the termite mounds where she was sure some of the others would save enough for her and Zawadi.
The smile on her muzzle ever present.
Standing in the background. Zuri watched with an aching heart and tearstained face as the cub she gave birth too called another one 'Mama'.
It all but broke her non-beating heart.
She had been surprised when they discovered that Eshe…or rather Zawadi now, could see them. They had been watching over here when Musa had suddenly run off. When he returned her and her father had been rather surprised to see who he had brought with him.
Kopa Sr. had put it off as the fact that the cub was still much too young to comprehend that she really shouldn't be able to see those that weren't meant to be seen. He said at times he thought when Zuri had been her age that he thought at times she could see him but he could never be truly sure. And since she had been too young at that time, Zuri really had no memory of it. But there were times she thought growing up that she felt like she was being watched and when she heard she often saw a figure standing nearby but would always be gone when she looked back.
She never said any of this to anyone growing up for she figured Simba and Jaali would have poked fun at her and said she was crazy.
"I've truly lost her Father." She whispered. In front of her she could feel Musa still hugging her legs and nuzzling her. Mewing in an attempt to comforting his heart broken mother.
"She does not know any better my dear." Kopa Sr. spoke from where he sat along side his daughter watching as Kumai made off with his granddaughter. It saddened him to see just how much his daughter was breaking at this but he knew deep down that Zuri was happy that her daughter was at least somewhat safe and that Kumai appeared to have a good heart. And judging by how frightened she had appeared to have found the cub missing, Kopa had no doubt that the lioness would come to love the cub.
"She should be with her Father." Zuri whispered closing her eyes. With her free paw she drew Musa even closer to her. Taking comfort in the one cub she could hold and openly love.
"Yes…she should be. And she should be with her sister and brothers and more importantly with her true mother…" reaching out Kopa gripped his daughters chin and made her look at him. "But hold faith in knowing she will be loved and that she will one day be reunited with them. That they all will be. Isn't that what you told Simba?"
He watched as a ghost of a smile came over Zuri's tearstained face. His daughter had told him all about the dream she had given Simba. "Have faith."
"I do Father. I do have faith…" Zuri sighed looking off in the direction her daughter had gone off with Kumai. She wanted to scream when she heard her daughter call another mother. It just wasn't right. She should have been there for her cubs and yet here she was…dead…
Bakari…she thought bitterly. The name put a foul taste in her mouth. She blamed the Guardian guide of the dead for what happened to her. She blamed fate as well.
What sort of being tears mothers away from their young? She thought shaking her head. She looked back at the dark golden mane lion in front of her when she felt her father rub her back with his paw and flash a smile. Looking at her father, Zuri knew what she had done had meaning too it. But dying for her cubs, they could live even if it was not the lives she wishes for them to have.
"I'm scared Father…scared for them."
"I know…but with you looking out for them. They have nothing to fear."
Closing her eyes, Zuri took a deep breathe. Opening them again she nodded. He was right. Her cubs did have nothing to fear for she was always there looking out for them. And one day when the time was right she would contact them. And when that day came…her family would be reunited.
Looking down at Musa she smiled. "Come Musa…lets go check on your daddy and Kiara now." The cub mewed and squeaked excitedly jumping to his paws he began following along side his mother before his grandfather grabbed him by the back of the neck and hoisted him up onto his mothers back with Musa held on tight.
Turning his head, Musa caught one last glimpse at his sister. Lifting his paw he waved in her direction mewing loudly and for a moment they caught each others eyes even if Zawadi this time could not see him.
Smiling he then faced forward and gripped onto his mother as both dark lions suddenly started racing across the Outlands heading toward the Pridelands both taunting the other in whoever could get to Pride Rock first.
His high pitched giggles sounding over their taunting laughter's.
Thank you for reading chapter 5.
Looking forward to your reviews keep them coming the more I get the more I an encourage to write.
