AN: Sorry took so long to get this chapter up. Been in a funk lately plus starting to get a cold it seems.
But here it is. So hope you enjoy.
Chapter 8
The Great Circle was just rising in the far off distance when Simba stepped outside the den. Along side him stood his mother who in her mouth dangled a half asleep half awake Kiara. Who mewed in protest at the rising sun that hit her groggy eyes. From behind the royals the lionesses all herded out of the cave in order to take their places, each wanting to get a good view of the morning's events.
Today after some long discussion was Kiara's presentation to the Pridelands. To show the animals that lived there that their King had chosen a new heir upon the death of his first born.
The thought of it wrecked havoc on the King. He did not like feeling like he was betraying Kopa by giving up the search and presenting Kiara in his son's place. Simba had thought that glorious day he had presented Kopa to his Kingdom those short months after he had taken back the Pridelands, would have been the last time he would have to do the presentation ceremony that was until he had grandcubs of his own he would one day see be presented to the Pridelands.
Yet here he was presenting yet another cub of his and Zuri's as an heir.
It had been a tiring bunch of days leading up to the ceremony. Ever since Simba had managed to get Kiara to understand that her mother would never be coming back and that Zuri was dead the cub cried a lot. And would only ever calm down whenever Sarabi held the cub or Simba himself. No other lioness or even Gina had such luck consoling the young Princess.
The only thing Kiara didn't know was HOW her mother had died. That wouldn't be told not until the Princess was some what older. Then Simba would tell her the whole truth of what had happened that fateful night. But until that day came, he trusted in his mother's wisdom that Kiara would come to accept her Mothers death. It would be hard but eventually it would become easier just like Mufasa's death had eventually become easier for both Sarabi and Simba to bear.
Simba turned his head when he heard excited shouts and watched as Gina climbed Pride Rock to watch the proceedings with pride. At her paws, Kodi was jumping around with excitement for getting to watch his first royal presentation. He had been born months after Kopa's and so hadn't had the chance to see his and therefore was excited to see Kiara's. Not just because she was the Princess but also because Kiara had become young Kodi's friend.
From beside him, Sarabi gently placed Kiara down on the ground as they all stood and watched as the front of Pride Rock began to fill up with all those who had come to see their new Princess. Glancing at her son, Sarabi laid her paw on his. "This should be a happy day Simba, you should be proud to show Kiara off as your heir."
"That's what you told me about Kopa the day of his ceremony. And I am proud Mother, Kiara has my heart. She's the only thing I have left of my mate. But I cannot bring myself to be happy about this. I should not have had to present her like this. My little Princess should have her mother here and should have been raised to know she didn't need the responsibility as Queen. Kopa wanted that. He told me everyday. But that doesn't matter now. I am proud to have my little girl as my last remaining heir but that does not make me happy that it has had to happen this way." Simba tried not to speak harshly.
He knew his mother was only trying to make him feel as though things would be alright. But the King could not help but feel this pressure lying upon him. Was he proud to have Kiara as his last heir? Yes for it meant he did not need to take another mate to have one. He did not need to throw away his love for Zuri in order to have an heir. A cub of his and hers will rule the Pridelands one day. And he, Simba, when the time came for him to pass he would travel the afterlife scouring for his mate if he had too. He would be reunited with her and his cubs there one day he would see to it.
The beige lioness watched her son closely. She knew how much this hurt him for it hurt her as well.
But this was for the best. The Pridelands needed an heir and Kiara was the only heir left and the best choice. She knew Kiara would make her beloved mother and siblings proud when she became a proud and strong Queen just like Zuri before her.
She said nothing more when they took note of the presence of the mandrill shaman climbing his way to the top of Pride Rock. Body hunched, with his staff in hand he made his way toward them. This was the first time since the night after Zuri's and the cub's deaths. The shaman had shown himself early the morning after to give council to the King for his losses and check on the young Princess.
But there had been something on the old mandrill's face that made Sarabi thinks that Rafiki knew something that they did not. But whatever it was, the shaman seemed to be keeping it to himself.
Rafiki grinned upon reaching the King, leaning heavily on his staff bowing his head. "What a day it is to crown a Princess. It has been a very long time since a Princess was crowned for Queen." His eyes went down to Kiara who mewed and stared up at him with wide curious blue eyes. "Da Princess is a wise one and be a wise Queen like her Mother."
Reaching up, he took a gourd of fruit that hung from the top of his staff, and carefully opened it while Simba picked his daughter up by the scruff and held her in front of the shaman so that the mandrill could anoint her. All the while he fought the images flashing through his mind of how he had watched Rafiki do the very same thing no more than a year before to Kopa. But this time he didn't have his confused mate beside him watching the proceedings with precaution worried that the shaman would end up doing something to the cub.
From where she hung in her Father's mouth, Kiara could not take her eyes off the mandrill in front of her. She briefly remembered him from the night after that horrible storm. But now here he was again. Just hanging there, the little Princess wondered what he was doing as she watched him open what seemed like a strange coloured rock of some sorts.
Her brow wrinkled when she suddenly felt him rub his thumb over her forehead smearing whatever it was it was his thumb now. But nothing confused the young cub more then when she watched the mandrill bend and pick up a bit of sand and sprinkled it over her causing her to sneeze.
All around her, Kiara could pick up the laughter of the lionesses and their cooing words;
"Just like her Father and brother."
"Zuri would be so proud."
"Oh how the Little Princess is just like Kopa."
Who was Kopa? The little cub wondered. She heard the name many times but really she could not put a face to the name.
Kiara didn't have much time to dwell on that. Her young mind was already filled with so many things that she was learning. Like the fact that her mother was dead…whatever 'dead' was…but she had been told that it meant that her mother was never coming back. That made Kiara cry…a lot. The only ones she ever wanted holding her during that time was her Father and Grandmother.
The little Princess suddenly let out a squeak when she felt herself being released from her fathers hold and into the arms of the strange shaman. She twisted her body, flailing a paw to her father. "Dada?"
Simba, who had watched the entire anointing, grinned at his daughter from where she laid in the shaman's arms. Kopa had only been a week old when he was presented to the Kingdom; Kiara though was now a month and a half old. He had seen how confused his one week old son had been at his but Kiara had more sense to know more then confusion. Leaning his head in he licked her cheek, "Right here my little Princess." He purred to calm the cub. There would be no point for her to struggle when Rafiki presented her. She would squirm and maybe fall and Simba could not bare the thought of that.
The cub stopped moving when her Father spoke. And with a grin, Rafiki cradled the cub in his arms and carefully began making his way to the peak of Pride Rock. Right behind him Simba and Sarabi followed.
From his arms, Kiara turned her head when an array of scents she only felt once before that time her father had carried her out into the Pridelands reached her nose. But nothing surprised the young cub more then when the mandrill shifted her in his arms in order to wrap his hands around her midsection. Then with a thrust of his arms lifted her up toward the sky but it wasn't the sky that Kiara was looking at but instead the amount of animals, more than she had ever seen in her life, spread out in front of Pride Rock. The amount of noise they made caused her to jolt a little from how much it startled her but the young princess nonetheless giggled in the mandrill's hands.
Behind the shaman, Sarabi watched on with pride for her granddaughter while Simba just smiled sadly. Watching while a ray of sunlight appeared to shine down upon his beautiful daughter. A spread of warmth went through his heart. He had seen something similar with Kopa and secretly prayed that it was his Father and ancestors sending their blessings down upon Kiara as their new heir. As well as Zuri and Kopa.
At the thought of his head, Simba felt a gust of wind ruffle his mane much like it had done the same night he had that dream of her. It allowed the sad portion of his smile to disappear to be replaced with one of happiness and pride for his daughter, his new heir. For it allowed him to honestly believe his mate was right there with them like she said she was looking down upon them.
He watched while Rafiki lowered his daughter once more, turning to face both him and his mother once again cradling the princess in his arms. Smiling, Sarabi approached and nuzzled her granddaughter. "You will be a wonderful Queen one day sweetpea." She cooed licking the top of Kiara's head stepping back just as Simba came forward.
The King gazed at his daughter who reached up to bat her paw against his nose, pulling it back with a giggle when Simba nipped at it with his teeth. "Dada!" she squealed.
The giggle warmed his heart for it was better then seeing his daughter cry. He was certain it wouldn't be the last time she did so but seeing her happy made him happy.
Behind the royals, the lionesses and Gina were all smiles and gossip. This had been the third ceremony presentation that she had seen. The first having been Simba and the second having been Kopa's. At her paws, Kodi was shifting his weight from one paw to the other. Lifting his head back to stare at his mother. "Was that all of it Mama?"
Chuckling, Gina nuzzled her cub. "Yes my son. That is how the royal ceremony is like. It just allows the animals of the Pridelands to know whom it is exactly that will become the new ruler. It allows them also to get their first proper look at Kiara." She lifted her head to watch the King returning to the pride the princess once again dangling in his mouth. Right behind him was Sarabi and Rafiki.
Gina had only seen the shaman a few times. He was more acquainted with the pride of the land then any other creature. But all knew about him. It was often he many of the animals went too if they were too injured to be looked at and see if he could help them or not. This however was really the first time she ever been this close to the mandrill. Gina then got to her paws when Kodi left her side and hurried toward Simba when the King was setting the young princess down on her paws. All around them, the laughter of the pride echoed as they watched the young cheetah cub attempt to sweep Kiara into a game of tag with him.
"Forgive me sire, my son is just full of energy." Gina bowed her head to Simba but the King just waved his paw to wave off her apology for there really was no need for one.
"Do not apologize Gina. Cubs will be cubs. Kodi is the only friend Kiara has her age at the moment and I remember how much energy cubs their age could have…" Simba started but Sarabi cut him off. "Oh yes, you should know the energy of cubs for you seemed to have a whole lot of it when you were their age." Sarabi gave her son a pointed look when he ducked his head sheepishly. All around an eruption of laughter was heard from all those present.
Nala, who sat off to the right with her mother, had watched the entire ceremony with a smile. It saddened her somewhat but she knew that with the threat of the Outsiders gone that nothing could possibly happen to this heir. Her eyes went to Simba; she had watched him closely throughout the entire thing. She had seen the sadness but was overly relieved to see that be replaced with happiness.
The King wasn't fully over what happened and Nala highly doubted her best friend would ever fully recover but seeing him happy was a start.
Catching movement from the corner of her eyes. Nala turned her head to eye the mandrill shaman that stood off behind the group them. She thought for a second that he was watching the two cubs wrestle with one another, which Nala had taken notice that Kodi was pretending to let Kiara beat him so she didn't get too hurt in the process, but no he was staring off somewhere else. His head seemed to nod toward something as if someone was having some sort of conversation with him.
Curious, Nala decided to follow where his gaze had landed and saw him staring upwards to the very top of Pride Rock. She squinted her eyes half expecting to see something there but there wasn't. Confused this time around, the lioness looked back at Rafiki only to find the shaman already half way down Pride Rock taking his leave.
Getting to her paws, she ignored the questionable look Sarafina gave her and hurried on after the shaman. Stopping just before the stone pathway that leads down from Pride Rock. Her eyes watching the shaman while he made his decent and way away from Pride Rock to head on home to his tree which happened to be on the far ends of the Pridelands. This just happened to make Nala think about to the last time he had been to the mandrill's tree when they had gone to have Zuri checked up on only to find out she was pregnant again. She thought back to what Zuri had begged her to do if somewhere were to happen to her, sighing, she looked back over her shoulder to watch both Kodi and Kiara bound around in front of the main den with the Pride and Gina watching them closely.
Nala was making sure she stood by her promise to Zuri. The others may be dead but Kiara was still alive. And Nala could not help but feel a little soft spot for the princess, besides Sarabi and Simba she seemed to be one of the few that spent the most time with Kiara.
"'Ala! 'Ala!"
The young lioness lifted her head when she heard the young Princess call for her. Kiara still not able too or what the lionesses were presuming she didn't want too, call her by her full name. The cub was bounding toward her stumbling along the way; she reached out to grab her before the cub could accidentally tumble down Pride Rock. "Help 'Ala! Help!" The cub gripped her paw while Kodi bounded on toward her.
Nala shook her head. "I don't think I can. Kodi seems like a strong cheetah. Maybe your Daddy can help you. He's a big brave lion." She watched Kiara's eyes lighting up and she let go of Nala and started running toward Simba just missing Kodi who tried to pounce on her.
"Dada! Dada!"
She watched with a warm smile as Kiara darted behind her father's leg trying to shield herself from Kodi. The King seemed to be playing along before pulling his leg back and scooted Kiara forward with a paw on her rump. Encouraging the cub to wrestle with Kodi knowing the cheetah cub wouldn't do anything to purposely harm the princess.
It wasn't long however before Simba picked up his daughter and took her over to Gina who was settling down to feed the cub. It was like clockwork. Kiara would get her morning meal shortly after sun came up, her afternoon meal around sometime when the sun was high in the sky and her nightly meal just as the Great Circle was descending.
Nala stepped aside as Simba came toward her. The King cast his friend a look, "Keep Kiara within Pride Rock today." He recommended casting a look back over his shoulder at Kiara who was happily nursing from Gina while the cheetah more then willingly bathed the nursing cub. Simba had a feeling that when it came time for Kiara to be weaned that his daughter was going to put up on heck of a fight when it came to Gina and Kodi parting from Pride Rock.
Which was making the King seriously considering allowing the two cheetah's to remain. There were plenty of cave outlets around Pride Rock for the two too stay. Gina hunted for herself even though the lionesses were willing to share their hunts with her and young Kodi but Gina insisted for it allowed her to take her son out with her and teach him how to hunt for when the time came for him to be on his own in the future. Simba was really beginning to think it may be beneficial for Kiara to have a friend around. He and his Mother discussed it often of what would become of Gina and Kodi's presence at Pride Rock when Kiara was no longer in need of any milk and Sarabi agreed with her son on the matter.
Agreeing that perhaps it would be best to let Gina and Kodi stay. Gina had come to help when they called for it. She had offered up her services. It was the best thing they could do to offer them a home at Pride Rock. Gina would have a place to go old in along side the lionesses whom she had come to befriend and Kodi who little Kiara had befriended.
Sarabi had even gone as far as to joke; 'If he was a young male lion, then you could always betroth them.'
It had made Simba laugh. But Simba had highly doubted that even if Kodi was a lion, he would betroth them. He wanted Kiara to find her mate just like he had found his. He knew it would have probably been different if he had stayed in the Pridelands and kept his betrothal to Nala. But things had turned out differently for him and in the end he was happy for Zuri had brought a lot to his life.
And it pained him that she was no longer right there beside him. But as time went on he was beginning to still feel her presence among Pride Rock. That and Simba held onto the hope that he would one day see his mate once again in the afterlife where he would be sure that he would never part from her again. And his cubs…
"Have Faith." Simba whispered. At times her words confused him but it was something he was trying to keep onto.
He caught Nala staring at him strangely and cast her a small grin. Then lifting his head when a shadow flew over him, he spotted Zazu taking off to get his morning report. The hornbill had waited until the ceremony was over before heading out for there really would have been no point to head out until it was done. For the animals would all be present and Simba wouldn't start his patrol until it had ended.
Simba really didn't want to go on patrol. He didn't the day of Kopa's ceremony. Instead he had stayed behind and had spent the day with Zuri and Kopa. But Simba would not take his chances. He would patrol the borders and keep the threats that lurked out there outside the Pridelands.
Although at some point, Simba after speaking with Binti about it was going to speak with the Eastern pride. Binti assured him that an alliance with them would be beneficial for the two prides like it had been back in the days of old. The rest of the pride backed her on this. Each stating that even if Simba didn't want to betroth Kiara there still weren't any other pride close enough for Kiara to be acquainted with in order to find a mate for in the future. There was one other pride but that was out of the question for sure, Simba thought with a scowl. But he could see where the lionesses were going with the pressuring of striking an alliance with the Eastern Pride.
But Simba had been hoping that would have been Zuri's job for finding suitable mates for their daughters. Simba really didn't want to even think about another lion taking his daughter away from him. Even if that mate would live at Pride Rock with them and rule the Pridelands along side his daughter.
Just staring at his little angel…he couldn't imagine her with anyone. Especially not right now. She was HIS little girl and that's how it was going to stay, if he had anything to say about it, he told him self mentally.
A clearing of a throat beside him caused him to look back at Nala. "Something on your mind Simba?" the lioness asked after watching the King zone out of it for several minutes. Secretly wondering if the brownish-gold lion was delaying his patrols to keep an eye on his daughter.
Shaking his head so that a portion of his mane fell into his face, Simba turned and began making his leave. "No. Nothing really…was just thinking of a few things…I should be going before Zazu pulls his feathers out of his head when he finds out I haven't gotten to work yet. Remember keep Kiara close to Pride Rock today." He reminded Nala.
The lioness just sat there watching the King leave, shaking her head in amusement. Nala had several ideas as to what she thought was on Simba's mind. All of them could be true for all she really knew. Her mind reflecting what Simba had requested of her. Nala thought it was ridiculous that Simba wanted to keep Kiara close to Pride Rock. But the King was certain that he only wanted his daughter to leave Pride Rock if HE was with her.
That was until he finished his 'trails' as it were. The lionesses came across them already. There were making of them around the pathways that lead too and from Pride Rock. Heavy set paw prints in the dirt that Simba created by stamping his paws into the ground as he marched all over the Pridelands creating pathways for when Kiara was old enough.
Pathways that never went too far from Pride Rock. Pathways that would keep her safe.
Some part of Nala could see Simba's reasoning in this and then there was another part of her that thought Simba was turning into too much of an overprotective father. But who was she to say anything. "Oh Zuri…I wish you were here…you could keep him in line." She chuckled softly.
"I really don't think she would have been able too." A hearty laugh came from behind her. Turning she saw Sarabi and her mother making their way over to her. "I think even if nothing had happened, Simba would have done pretty much of the same thing he's doing now. Males seem to react differently to daughters then they do sons. I always wondered what Mufasa may have been like if we had a daughter. Of course he was protective of Simba since the day he was born…but I remember growing up the few males that were around always seemed more protective of their daughters…" Sarabi laughed again. She knew her son, just by the reaction he had when they sat him down and talked about possible suitors for Kiara one night he all but yelled that his precious baby girl was not good enough for anyone.
Laughing along with the beige lioness, Nala nodded her head. She could see by what the older lioness meant. Even though she, Nala, had never met her own Father she could still see what Sarabi had meant.
She fell silent when she noticed her mother and Sarabi share a look. Eyebrow up, she asked "What is it?"
"Nala, your mother and I have been discussing a few things." Sarabi started settling herself down in front of the young lioness.
"Things that would concern the future of the Hunting Party." Sarafina smiled at her daughter. Watching a confused look overcome her only daughters face.
"Is there something wrong with the Hunting Party?" Nala asked her eyes looking back and forth between the two older lionesses sitting in front of her. She was taken back when they started laughing.
"Oh no dear." Sarabi shook her head, "There is nothing wrong…right now. But you must understand that there will be some problems in the future that is until Kiara is old enough to take over the position as Head Huntress." She stated matter-of-factly. But seeing that Nala was still confused on the matter she came right out and said. "I was hoping you would take over that position until Kiara is ready."
Eyes widening Nala stared at the beige lioness that over her cubhood years had been like a second mother to her. Letting what Sarabi said sink in slowly she shook her head. "No…No I can't…Head Huntress is reserved for the Queen…and I'm not Queen…nor will I ever be." It was a painful truth but like Nala had convinced herself, she loved a ghost of the past. A cub she never had the chance to grow up beside. That and she felt that if she took this position she would be replacing Zuri. Zuri had become her friend and she could not do that to her. "I…I'm honoured…but I just can't."
Eyes softening, Sarabi reached out to lay a paw on Nala's while Sarafina went to sit right along side her daughter. Wrapping a paw around her, Sarafina nuzzled her daughter. "Of course you can my love. You were trained for this."
Which had been true. During Scar's reign Nala was picked and trained to one day become the leader of the Hunting Party. Sarabi feared one day she would die too soon and if something were to happen to her or Sarafina there needed to be someone who was skilfully trained to lead the others. That should have been Zira's job but Scar appeared to make the rule that Zira and those loyal to her did not have to lift a paw to help with the hunting. Leaving Sarabi and the others to scrape for anything they could find.
When Zuri was alive, she and Nala were the youngest and most skilled. Both trained to one day be Head Huntresses. But with Zuri gone, the lionesses all knew who would be a proper replacement for Sarabi who wanted to stay back at Pride Rock some more to spend time with Kiara. Sarafina would come in and act as Nala's second in order to help the young lioness get comfortable with the position.
Then when it was time for Kiara to take over the Hunt, then Nala would step down from lead to Second.
Chewing on her bottom lip, Nala looked unsure of what to do. She remembered her training perfectly for Head Huntress. Nala could tell by the look on Sarabi's face she really wanted nothing more than to stay back and spend some more time with her granddaughter. "I would say I would have turn it down…but this is a great honour…I'll try my best to make you both proud." Nala turned her head to smile at her mother whose arm tightened around her.
Hooking her neck around her daughters, Sarafina nuzzled and licked her ear then the top of her head. "You'll do just fine dear."
"Agreed." Sarabi commented. "But you won't start right away…we'll have a few goes at it at first to ease you into that position. When we first trained you there were very little herds or none at all for you to fully practice on. Now there is. I believe by the end of the next month we shall have you completely taking over." Sarabi nodded her head as she thought about it. Yes, another month should do. It would give Nala enough time to ease into being Head Huntress for the time being.
Sarabi smiled looking back over her shoulder at her granddaughter who had finished her morning meal and was once again playing with Kodi under the watchful eyes of Gina and the other lionesses. Sarabi really had no problem in being Head Huntress but the thought of being able to spend more time with her last remaining grandcub was just too hard not to pass up. That and she had perfect faith in Nala's abilities.
Sarabi herself had been Zuri's Second but she knew Zuri was easing the way in for Nala to become her Second. And now Nala would be Head instead. She knew Zuri would have wanted it. Nala was the most skilled and she could help in teaching Kiara how to hunt where Zuri could not. Her eyes saddened. To be taught to hunt should have been a bonding time between Zuri and her daughters but that was taken from them.
A scowl crossed her features and her eyes hardened. 'One day…' she thought. 'One day Zira you will pay for what you've done to my family. I swear it I will see it done. I will not leave this plain of existence until I see the injustice you've done to them be righted.'
Stepping back to Nala as the other lionesses seemed to hear what was going on and came over to congratulate the young lioness they all had a part in raising. Turning she began making her way to one of her favourite shady places around Pride Rock, turning her head, but not stopping, she watched as her granddaughter suddenly broke away from her playmate and came running after her calling out. "Granna! Granna! Granna!"
Chuckling and swishing her tail at the cub, catching Kiara in the face causing the cub to stop and wrinkle her nose Sarabi smiled. "Come Kiara. There's been enough excitement for you this morning." She spoke softly watching the cub hurry on after her. Her grandmother slowing her pace so that the one and a half month old cub could keep up with her.
How time flies she thought sadly.
It seemed only yesterday that the tragedy happened to their family.
When in fact it had been more then a couple weeks.
Her heart suddenly heavy at the thought of those she lost. But it passed soon enough when she watched Kiara scamper on ahead of her suddenly interested in a butterfly that had flown up from the bushes. Only to fall flat on her stomach when she had tried to pounce on it only to fail miserably.
Laughing softly at the cub's antics, Sarabi stopped when she was above the cub and gently wrapped her mouth around Kiara's midsection. Picking the cub up, the older lioness continued on her way to her favourite spot, seeking solitude and quiet time with her granddaughter before her son came back and stole Kiara away from the afternoon as he always did.
Ever since that day he took Kiara out into the Pridelands, Simba would return around late after noon when the sun was going down and it wasn't as hot to take Kiara on a little stroll around Pride Rock. Nothing farther then a mile but it gave Simba some alone time with his daughter that Sarabi thought that BOTH Kiara and Simba needed.
It still broke her heart whenever she would hear Kiara cry over the loss of her mother. She was too young to have truly known but it was for the best.
But that did not mean Sarabi did not like watching her little granddaughter cry. Even if it made her heart swell with joy that Kiara could only be consoled by either herself or Simba. It made her feel wanted by the cub.
Kiara was the last of her lineage. Last of Mufasa's lineage.
Sarabi would do anything and everything in her power to make sure her granddaughter was safe and would grow up to be the wonderful and beautiful Queen she knew Kiara would be. She would live to see that day. She wore it. They were at peace, nothing…absolutely nothing could take that away. Kiara deserved to grow up in peace and that's exactly what she would have.
Just…somewhere deep in the back of her mind told her…the troubles they had faced…were yet to be over with…
The sun hung high over the dusty plains of the Outlands. What little wind there was kicked up dust from miles around often clouding the air. With the sun bearing down upon the dusty wasteland with nothing but wisps of clouds in the sky hardly a single living thing was out in the blazing head of mid-morning.
Well almost no one.
From the shade of some boulders that lined the borders of the Outlands. Two brown cubs lay close to the ground trying to keep them concealed. Their eyes staring into the horizon watching the log bridge created from a long since fallen tree that laid across from one second of a ravine to the next.
Two sets of green eyes stared into the tall grass that lined the other side.
The younger of the two cubs shifted her paws nervously. Her one good eye looking around for danger.
Zawadi was pressed close to the ground as much into the shade as she possibly could. Her body shook as she remembered the warnings her Mother had given her about not going anywhere near these parts of their land. Only four and a half months old, Zawadi knew exactly what she should and shouldn't soon.
Ever since that day she had wandered off from her Mother causing Kumai to search frantically for her in worry. Kumai had sat her daughter down and all but lectured her as much as she could to get her daughter to understand the dangers. Zawadi couldn't fully grasp it but she knew well enough that they shouldn't be there.
Whatever Mama said was bad, was bad and should be avoid. And Mommy said that the this place was bad. And Zawadi knew she shouldn't be there.
But the Pride had gone out hunting. Leaving the cubs in charge of each other. Kumai had instructed Zawadi to stay close to the cubs and for them to keep an eye on her. And keep an eye on her they did. But that didn't mean they wouldn't drag her away from the confines of the termite mounds. And now here she and Kovu was hiding in what little shade they could find awaiting the return of the two older cubs from where they had gone. Zawadi didn't truly understand where they gone only that they gone into what her mother called the "Bad Lands" filled with "Bad lions" that hurt and kill cubs.
Kovu grumbled as he stared into the Pridelands. The cubs had all heard that today was the Presentation Ceremony of the new heir. Apparently the only one to have survived that terrible night that Queen Zuri and Kopa had died…the same night they were banished. Banished for no reason…his mother and the others had gone to help Zuri and had been too late…but they got blamed for it…
But that was not why the cub was grumbling. No he was grumbling because he had been left back with Zawadi while his brother and sister had run off ahead to see what was going on. Each of them had argued about what would happen if they were caught in the Pridelands…either by Simba or one of the Pridelands themselves or worst…their mother.
They were forbidden to enter the Pridelands under penalty of death they been told.
And yet here they were, sneaking back in…Well Vitani and Nuka was always. Kovu had been left back when they teased him that he was just too young that he should stay behind with the 'baby'…a cruel way to say he was left in charge of cub-sitting. From beside him, he could just feel how much Zawadi was shaking and he could only hope she didn't tell Kumai what they been doing.
But so far Nuka seemed to be the only one out of the three siblings that could convince Zawadi not too go and tattle on them. He could only hope that it worked this time around again. Kumai was just as frightening as their mother was when it came to Zawadi's safety.
"Ko…Kovu…" Groaning, the older brown cub looked at the one beside him. Her eyes green and gray eyes staring at him. Kovu often found it a bit eerie to stare into Zawadi's eyes. Her gray eye was just…creepy he thought. Like a lifeless ball of gray just staring at him like it could suck his soul out. Zawadi's good eye stared at him with fear and nervousness. She obviously didn't want to be there.
He figured if it hadn't been for Kumai ordering her to stay close to the older cubs that she would have run off by then.
"What?" he grumbled.
"Where…where…Nuka…and 'Tani…?" Zawadi stuttered. Lowering herself further to the ground. If they was even possible. Kovu thought by then she would have become one with the ground. He couldn't help but think Zawadi was too much of a scaredy cat. But he knew better then to say that out land for Vitani had smacked him the last time he had commenting that Zawadi was still too young and that he too had been that afraid when he was her age. He wanted to scoff and ignore that comment wanting to believe he was nothing like Zawadi and the fear she was emitting.
"They will be back…sheesh. Be brave Zawadi!" Kovu stated watching the younger cub puff out her cheeks and glare at him.
"I too brave!" Zawadi stomped her paw on the ground. Pushing herself up she sat back on her haunches. A pout on her face.
"Then act like it!" Kovu suddenly regretted raising his voice when he saw the tears come into Zawadi's eyes. As much as he thought she needed to be more brave and stop being a whimpering cub most the time who just followed rules, it didn't mean he liked seeing Zawadi cry. The cub was still his friend. He just figured he had to make her braver. That way she wouldn't be afraid in the future and wouldn't get hurt.
"Hey…I'm sorry Za'…I didn't mean it…" Kovu reached out to wrap his arms around the younger cub just as sniffling sounds came from her where she was fighting back the urge to cry.
"Oh, great going Kovu! You made her cry!"
Both brown cubs lifted their heads and turned to see Nuka and Vitani jumping out of the tall grass on the other side of the borders of the two lands. Vitani was glaring across the ravine at her younger brother for making the youngest of them cry. Nuka who was growing taller in age was staring over his shoulder with a cautious look on his face to make sure that they weren't spotted and followed.
Then giving a nod of his head to confirm it was safe both older cubs jumped onto the log and hurried on across.
"'Tani! Nuka!" Tears and fears forgotten, Zawadi jumped away from Kovu and hurried on toward the two older cubs. Vitani smiled and draping one paw over Zawadi and bumped heads with the younger female. Vitani was quite enjoying having another girl around her age to play with. She was though protective of Zawadi and sent a glare at her younger brother when she saw the left over tears in Zawadi's eyes.
Kovu ducked his head sheepishly doing his best to ignore the glare his sister was giving him.
"Move aside Vitani!" Nuka used his paw to shove the golden cub aside and stared down at the little brown cub before him. A warm look in his eyes. Nuka wouldn't admit but he had a soft spot for Zawadi ever since the time he first laid eyes on her when Kumai introduced her to the Pride. The older cub just couldn't place it but there was just something about Zawadi that seemed oddly familiar to him and some nagging feeling in the back of his head that told him that he had to look out for her.
Bending his head down he smiled at her and nuzzled Zawadi but pulled back when he saw the tears on the smaller cubs face. He turned his accusing gaze to his little brother. "What did you do this time you little termite!" Nuka growled at the brown male cub who glared on back at him. Wrapping his paw around Zawadi he drew her closer to him until her body was hidden under his.
"I didn't do anything!" Kovu shouted jumping to his paws glaring at his older brother. Kovu didn't really know what had gotten into his older brother lately but ever since their banishment and their mothers training Nuka seemed to have it out for him and he just couldn't understand why.
Unknowns to Kovu, Nuka had come across some information that had struck him as shocking and confusing. He had overhead the lionesses speaking about Kovu's true parentage something that he really hadn't given thought about. Nuka had always thought that just because Kovu had been born of his mother that Kovu shared the same family genes as him. But in fact he only shared half.
Kovu's Father wasn't Scar.
He had confronted his mother about that just days ago and she had smacked him telling him never to say that again. Telling him that Scar knew Kovu wasn't his but he had chosen Kovu nonetheless to be King. And be King Kovu shall be. She told him.
A spark of jealousy that appeared to have been hidden deep inside Nuka for so long after living in peace in the Pridelands had reared its ugly head again.
Why should Kovu be King? He didn't have King's blood in him. Nuka did and yet he was thrown aside by the very lion he had called Father and was now being cast aside by the very lioness he called Mother. But that didn't stop him from trying his best to prove himself to his mother. He would make her see that he was the rightful King all along. Yes, he would make her see that he was better then Kovu, one day he would make her see.
Snapping he glared at the brown male cub. "Then why is she crying?"
Slouching his shoulders, Kovu ducked his head again mumbling. "What was that?" Nuka asked.
"I sort of…called her a coward…" Kovu mumbled much more louder this time.
"Stupid!" Vitani shoved Kovu with a paw. "She's not a coward, she's a baby!" Huffing she glared at her younger brother who ducked his head lower. "Plus, I bet when she gets older she kicks your butt." Smirking smugly Vitani held her head high at the thought of watching Zawadi defeat Kovu in their training. Zawadi was still much too young Kumai told them but in a few months she would be allowed to join them. Something Vitani was looking forward too. Having more girl power on her side against the boys.
Lifting his head, Kovu puffed out his cheeks then stomped his paw. "No she won't. Not even you can beat me."
"That's because you cheat!"
"I do not!"
"You do too!"
Watching the two older cubs banter back and forth, something Zawadi had come to know as a normal thing that occurred on a regular basis. She poked her head out from between Nuka's legs turning her head to stare up at the older cub wrapping her paws around Nuka's leg. "Did you see the Pwincess or Pwince?" she asked. Remembering that's what the cubs wanted to see. A Princess or Prince.
Turning his gaze downward, Nuka nodded and ruffled the fur atop of Zawadi's head. "Yeah…"
"It was a girl." Vitani cut him off backing away from Kovu cutting their argument short. "It was that cub we saw Nala bring back to Pride Rock that night. I never caught her name none of the animals we could dare get close enough to see or hear spoke of it. We only saw the cub and heard the murmuring of Princess." She looked over at Kovu who too dropped the arguing and came to sit beside her. His mind going back to that night when they had been herded into the main cave. He vaguely remembered Nala returning with a cub. But she seemed so determined to hide the cub from prying eyes.
"Do you think we should tell Mother?" asked Kovu looking back and forth between his siblings. His eyes landing on Nuka who was picking Zawadi up by the scruff as the she-cub giggled and reached up to try and bat at his nose and was failing.
Vitani shook her head. "No! Mother would kill us if she found out where we went and why…not to mention Kumai." She shuddered. Kumai may have been always loving and calm with them when they were young but something about being a mother brought out the worst in Kumai when it came to wanting to keep Zawadi safe. She wanted neither her mother nor Kumai to find out where they had gone. Nuka promised that Zawadi wouldn't tell all he had to do was ask her, which surprisingly worked. Vitani thought it was odd but if it kept them out of trouble. So be it.
She secretly wondered why Nuka had a soft spot for the cub. But whatever made Nuka happy she had no problem with it. Plus it was sort of cute to watch her older brother tip toe around the younger cub while keeping a watchful eye on her.
"'Tami?" Vitani looked at the cub that dangled from Nuka's mouth. For a moment she took in the scars on the cubs face then asked. "Yes?"
"What's a Pwincess?"
"Princess, Zawadi. It's pronounced Princess." Vitani corrected the cub. Something she had seen the older lionesses do whenever Zawadi pronounced something wrong. Like when she first started to pronounce names the lionesses would spend time in getting the cub to say them properly. Didn't stop Zawadi from calling her ''Tani' though. A nickname she had picked up from Nuka. So Vitani thought she should help the she-cub learn too whenever she made a mistake.
"Pw…Pw…Pr…Princess?" Zawadi stuttered at first eyeing Vitani closely and smiled wide and cheered waving her paws when Vitani nodded to say that Zawadi had gotten it right.
"A Princess is the daughter of a King and Queen." Vitani explained in the best way she thought the cub could understand.
"Like 'Tani?" Zawadi asked watching Vitani smile and nod her head. "Yes, like me." Vitani said holding her head high. She was the daughter of a King and Queen and a lot called her Princess now since Zira announced herself as Queen of the Outlands.
Grumbling, Nuka set Zawadi down. "Well Princess Vitani, I think we need to be getting back before our parents do." He stated watching both Kovu and Vitani jump to their paws eyes wide when they realized the same thing. Shaking his head, Nuka picked up the younger cub and started to hurry along, carrying Zawadi would make it easier for them to get back without her lagging behind and slowing them down.
Behind him, Kovu and Vitani quickly followed but were carefully hiding their trail not wanting their paw prints to be found by the adults and make them think they got too close to the borders edge.
It took ten minutes to get back to the termite mounds and saw much to their dismay that the Pride had already returned from the hunt. Their heads snapping in their direction when they noticed the cubs returning. Kumai broke from the others and hurried forward. "Where did you all go?" She asked a little worried when they returned and found the cubs missing but she had a figure that they couldn't have gotten far.
"We just thought we go and explore." Kovu said coming up behind Nuka a wide smile on his face. "We thought we could take Zawadi to all the cool hiding places that way when she's older she can play with us."
Zawadi eyed the young cub with eyebrow raised but shook her head. She saw nothing wrong with the cubs wanting to take Zawadi out and play as long as they kept a close eye on her like she had instructed them too. She said to watch her not keep her inside so she really could not be mad with the cubs.
"Princess, Mama! Princess!"
The three older cubs had to bite back a groan when Zawadi cried out "Princess!" over and over.
This time both Kumai's eyebrows shot up in question. Vitani quickly stepped forward to explain. "Uh…Zawadi overheard one of you call me Princess once and then she asked me what it meant so I explained…it appears to be her new favourite word of the day!" Vitani smiled widely at the lioness hoping this would appease Kumai and make her believe that's exactly what Zawadi was meaning by Princess. Plus adding favourite word to the day wouldn't make it suspicious at all, since Zawadi started talking and understanding words once she got a new word she liked she would say it repeatedly.
"Princess!"
"See?" Vitani stated pointing at the cub.
Looking at her daughter who was cheerfully shouting out the word "Princess!" with a large smile on her face. Kumai's suspicions faded and she smiled at her cub. Ever since the day that Zawadi had called her "Mama." Kumai's heart ached to hear more words come from the little cub's mouth but her favourite word to hear was always 'Mama' for it made her heart swell with…love for the cub.
Yes that was the only thing that could explain it.
But it was something she could not let anyone else know. She had her suspicions that her pride sisters knew already but none said a word against it or to Zira. And much to Kumai's amusement she caught her pride sisters cooing over Zawadi when they thought no one else was looking. It seemed like the thought of Zawadi's true parentage didn't matter to them…well most of them.
Zira treated Zawadi like she was the plague.
Something Zawadi didn't understand why "Auntie Zira" seemed so grumpy around her and it was something her daughter would never know about Kumai told herself. That was until Zira decided to bring Zawadi right into her plans that involved killing Simba and the rest of the Pridelands when the time came.
The others were right, the plan that Kumai had originally thought of was no longer hers but Zira's entirely now.
Smiling, Kumai nodded. "Yes sweetheart, Vitani is a Princess, just like Nuka is a Prince…as is Kovu." With a paw she motioned for Nuka to set the cub down which he did. Grinning when Zawadi turned and bumped her head against his snout playfully before bounding on over towards her mother. "You three go and get your share of the hunt…it's not much but it was all we could find…" Kumai grumbled the last bit shaking her head. They had come across the corpse of a Zebra which seemed to be two days old but it was enough for them.
At the thought of dinner the other three hurried on to get their share. It been days since their last meal and each of them was starving.
Kumai waited until they were gone before picking up her daughter and carrying her in the opposite direction. The meat wasn't too bad for those who were older but Zawadi was still much too young and she wasn't going to risk feeding her daughter something that would possibly make her ill.
Zawadi struggled in her mother's hold. "Mama…I hungy too!" she whined. Kumai chuckle muffled by her daughter's body in her mouth at Zawadi's failed attempt at saying 'hungry.'
Not saying anything until she rounded a bend she then placed Zawadi down carefully on her paws. "That meat isn't for you Zawadi. Mommy got you something different so that her little girl won't get sick." She smiled as Zawadi cocked her head to the side with a confused look on her face. Despite the scars and the one blind eye, Zawadi was still such an adorable cub that she could not help but smile. "That meat is too old for you. It could make you sick…now…I caught something else for you. It's not much but it will do just fine for your small stomach." Having already ate her fill after they found the dead Zebra; Kumai had gone out and hunted some of the vultures that had previously been feasting upon it. Figuring they would serve just fine for her Zawadi.
Moving a rock she took the birds from where she had been hiding them. She had already cleaned them of feathers and so it only left Zawadi to eat the meat. She had been teaching Zawadi to take small bites so that she no longer had to chew the food first for her.
At the sight of her dinner, Zawadi's face lit up and she hurried over to eat. Taking small bites carefully with her teeth, enough for her to chew on with her baby teeth and then small enough to swallow whole without a lot of chewing.
Sitting back Kumai watched her daughter eat. Whatever Zawadi left over she would finish herself like she always did. The cubs stomach was still small so she didn't always end up eating much but as time went on she started to eat more every time they caught something and she knew as the months passed Zawadi's stomach would grow and so would her appetite.
When the cub had enough she pulled away and yawned looking up at her Mother who bent her head and started eating the rest of the vulture. Then once that was done, Kumai picked up Zawadi and took her back to where the others were still all feasting. Finding her favourite spot in the shade, Kumai settled down placing Zawadi between her paws and began licking her clean. The cub laid still in her mothers arms knowing there wasn't much she could do to avoid getting cleaned.
Yawning again, Zawadi draped her front paws over her mothers arm and laid her head down on them while Kumai ran her tongue along her back.
The silence of the moment however was soon broken when a loud angry shout echoed against the termite mounds. "Nuka! Vitani! Kovu!" All heads turned to see Zira storming her way toward them.
In her mother's arms, Zawadi ducked her body down. Auntie Zira scared her for the most part unlike her other Aunts. She was never sure why, but she thought Auntie Zira was always just too grumpy. Just the tops of her eyes could be seen peering over her mothers arm.
The three older cubs shrunk back from their mother.
"You think just because you hid your tracks that I would not catch your scent out there?" Zira demanded her eyes bearing into her cubs. A deep menacing scowl on her face. "How dare you disobey me and go into the Pridelands!"
The grown lionesses all froze. Before their eyes looked at the cubs with mild anger that the cubs had purposely placed themselves in danger by going there. None more then Kumai who was not glaring at the cubs for having lied to her about where they had taken her daughter. Now it made sense why Zawadi had been sprouting about a princess. She had heard the others mention it a few times but never spoke the word herself and never questioned it.
Now it made sense. Today had been the Presentation Ceremony. Zira had planned on slipping into the Pridelands from the elephant graveyard to see what was going on.
It appears the cubs had thought along the same lines.
"But…but Mom, we weren't caught. We only wanted to see who the new heir was." Kovu stumbled over his words trying to put on his brave face for his mother.
"What does it matter!?" Zira snapped at her son. "Those beasts banished us from the Pridelands. Our home. We tried to help and look what they did to us! And you have the nerve of going there behind my back all to see a traitors Princess!"
"But Mommy." Vitani whined. Quickly lowering herself to the ground when Zira turned her heated gaze to her next. Her ears pressed back against her head in fear. "We…were weren't hurt…we only wanted to see…"
"Y…Yeah…" Nuka spoke up stepping forward to shield his sister. "Queen Zuri was our friend…we only wanted to see her daughter…we did it for Queen Zuri…yow!" Gasps echoed from the lionesses when they watched Zira reach out and strike her son across the face. Causing Nuka to tumble to the ground.
Eyes wide, Zawadi tried to jump over her mothers arms to run to Nuka's side but Kumai held her back, lowering her head to shield her daughter from Zira in fear Zira would turn her anger to Zawadi next.
Zira growled staring down at her eldest son. "Do you think it matters if that lioness had been your friend? They banished us despite that! And you dare go there behind my back and disobey me!?" she snarled stepping toward Nuka who quickly scampered back on his back using his paws to drag him.
"We're sorry Mother!" Kovu shouted his eyes wide from having watched his mother strike his brother. Nuka may have been a pain now and again but Kovu still loved his brother and didn't like seeing that fear on Nuka's face. He lowered himself down on the ground beside his sister when Zira turned her gaze on him again.
Snarling, Zira eyed all three of her cubs then whipped around to look where Kumai was hiding in the shadows. She could see the cub despite Kumai's attempts to hide her. She had smelt Zawadi as well at the borders. Her cubs had almost cost her, her revenge. If they had been caught and Simba discovered they had his other daughter then that would mean her plan to eventually use the cub against him would be over. And surely he would have killed them all to get her back.
She could see the fear on Zawadi's face when her eyes set upon her and she caught Zira looking at her. Oh how she loved that fear. But now was not the time. She had to get the cub on their side. That was almost too much of a close call. Putting on her best look of concern, she made her way over watching Kumai stiffen. "Is your daughter alright?" she asked.
She watched the confusion come over Kumai's face as the lioness lifted her head. Looking at her daughter then to Zira she nodded. "Yes…yes, she's just fine."
"Good. I caught her scent out there with them. Would have been a terrible thing should something have happened to her." She resisted at smirking while she lowered her face closer to Zawadi's. "We wouldn't want you hurt now do we?" she watched the cub shake her head. "That's a good girl Zawadi." She felt sickened by the cub's happy smile that Zawadi was now giving her. Crawling closer, Zawadi nuzzled her small head against Zira's snout purring then licking her gently in the chin. "No Auntie Zira."
"Good." Pulling her head back trying her best not to look disgusted that she had allowed the cub of her enemy show such affection toward her. But it was all part of her plan. She had to make the cub trust and love her. She knew Zawadi feared her that was good. But the cub would come to love and trust her. And then her plan would be put into action.
Turning to glare at her own cubs she snapped. "Come!" Then turning she made her way away from the termite mounds to the secluded place she used to train them. Today she would make them work even harder for disobeying her and nearly costing her the revenge she sought. The three siblings didn't waste a second as they hurried on after their mother, Nuka rubbing his face when how sore it felt from where Zira had hit him.
The lionesses wanted them go with looks of sympathy. Kumai though was the only one sprouting confusion as she looked down at her cub. She knew that was all a ploy that Zira had just showed there but it didn't make her feel any less uneasy about it. She watched Zawadi stare on after the cubs with a look that said she couldn't wait for the day that she got to join them.
Something Kumai was now dreading.
This was all a mistake she thought.
But it was too late to turn back now.
Yay I got this chapter done before I have to leave. I'm going to see Jeff Foxworthy tonight.
Sorry again it took so long. But long chapters take a while to write and each chapter is getting longer. Believe this story has the most chapters I written this many words for.
Please remember to review. Reviewing allows me to see how much you are enjoying the story. And next chapter we have one completely dedicated to Zuri's point of view.
