Chapter 11
The squeals of laughter echoed through the grasslands as the early afternoon sun shinned its warming rays upon the Pridelands from where it hung high in the sky. Looking down upon the prospering land below and its inhabitants that moved across the lowland plains and tall grasslands.
From the towering grass in which the laughter could be heard from, a darkly creamy gold tan cub frolicked. Eyes that reflected the colour of the bluest of skies glimmered with joy while laughter like that of twinkling bells escaped the cub's mouth at the feel of the grass tickling her creamy pale underbelly and the feel of the sun on her fur.
Princess Kiara was just full of life to having been allowed out to explore the land of the Kingdom that would one day be hers.
But she wasn't alone. Her babysitter wasn't far behind.
Gina kept along with the Princess at an easy pace. She and the lionesses had convinced Simba to let Kiara out into the Pridelands. But Gina had agreed to follow the paths that Simba had created for his daughter and who was Gina to disagree with the King.
The cheetah had a calm smile on her face while she listened to the laughter of the Princess which was shortly joined by her own sons. Kodi, who was only a few months older than Kiara was the only friend the Princess had that, was around her own age. Two months old and the Princess were coming along but more so because she had someone to play with.
Kodi bounded on through the grass after Kiara in a game of chase. He was letting the Princess get a head start because he was much faster then her but the younger cub didn't seem to care she was just too happy to be out.
This was her first time out into the Pridelands since her Father had taken her out that day on his patrol. The day he had told her about her Mother's passing. It was only a week ago that she found out that it hadn't only been her Mother that had died but her brothers and sister as well.
This had confused her young mind at first but her grandmother told her that she was old enough to know the truth of what had happened. Although little did Kiara know, her family hadn't told her the exact truth of their deaths only that someone bad had killed them and taken them away. The little Princess had cried as much as when she had heard of her Mother's death.
She didn't think it was fair and often would often demand to have them back.
But her grandmother would simply say; "Something's in life are never fair my little one. Thing's just happen. It's the circle of life my dear, we live and we die. Some sooner then others. We don't like it…but there is just nothing we can do about it. Just know that your Mother is out there looking over you, every night while you sleep her star twinkles up there and she is watching out for you. Every step of the way."
When Kiara told her grandmother that she didn't quite understand, Sarabi just chuckled and patted her head telling her that she would one day.
"Keep up Kodi!" Kiara called over her shoulder. Her speak was starting to improve greatly although for some she never gave up on her nicknames for them. Well most of them.
"You can't run forever Kiara!" Kodi laughed picking up speed he started gaining on her until with a good leap he pounced on her causing her to squeal in surprise when she suddenly found herself on the ground. Sprawled out on her stomach with Kodi standing over her with a large smile on his face, his paws resting on her back. "Gotcha."
"Alright Kodi, you caught her. Don't hurt her too much," Gina stated when she finally caught up with the two cubs. She gave her son a stern look which quickly turned into a smile at her son's playful smile. Reaching out with a paw she helped Kiara back to her paws when Kodi finally stepped back from the Princess.
Shaking some dirt and grass off of her, Kiara then reached out shoving Kodi in the side only to get a snicker back in response. Lifting her head to gaze up at Gina she smile widely. "He can't hurt me Gina. I'm tougher then he is." The she-cub laughed at her friend when he gawked at her for daring to say that she was tougher then he was. Puffing out his cheeks he put his face close to hers teeth bared but more in a playful manner then a menacing one. "No you're not. You can't even beat me in wrestling."
"Well…that's because I'm a lady and ladies do not wrestle." Kiara stuck her nose in the air.
"A lady? Ha!" Kodi smirked sitting back on his haunches he shook his head. "I am too a lady!" Kiara smacked at her friend only to have him jump back to his paws and dodge all the while sticking his tongue out at her. "See a lady wouldn't smack at her friends." He continued to tease her to the point that she now started giving chase to him.
Gina, who'd been watching the banter the entire time, rolled her eyes. So much for a 'peaceful' walk, she amusingly thought to herself. But it did her good to see that her son had at least one friend. Being solitary, cheetah's normally just played with their siblings. But Kodi was her only cub…not that she thought her son wouldn't grow up just fine on his own but having a friend made it easier for him and for Gina to see her son happy.
Her ears perked when she suddenly heard a loud yowl and listening closely enough she could make out the cubs:
"That's not fair not get off!"
"What's that you said about me not being able to get you? Now admit that I am a lady."
"Never!"
Shaking her head with a small chortle she got to her paws and followed the sound of the cub's voices. When she came upon them she found her son beneath Kiara who with all the might of a two month old was trying to shake the cheetah cub into submission and have him finally admit what she wanted to hear. She sat there watching for several minutes before finally clearing her throat to catch their attention. "That's enough now you two. Continue the way you are and you're going to get dirty and that means a second bath for you tonight." She knew that caught their attention. Her son loathed baths and though Kiara seemed to enjoy hers for the Princess one bath a day was enough.
Jumping apart from one another, both cubs quickly patted down their fur to get as much dirt out of them as possible.
Finally lifting her head, Kiara padded on over toward the cheetah who in all sense of the word had become her nanny. "Gina?" she waited until she had the older cheetah's attention then asked; "Why can't we go that far from Pride Rock?" The Princess turned her head in the direction of the large kopje that stood proudly not far from them.
Following the cubs gaze, Gina shook her head when she turned her attention back to the Princess who was watching her intently awaiting her answer. "You know already your highness that you are too young to be that far away from Pride Rock. We got your Father to agree to let you come this far…you know the rules. Your Father said that once you turn five months old then it will be determined if you are ready to be out here on your own."
That had been quite the argument between Simba and Sarabi. With Sarabi beating her son into agreeing that if Kiara showed her Father that she was responsible enough by five months that she could be allowed out on her own without a babysitter.
It wasn't a secret that the Princess didn't like to always have a babysitter. Even when she was playing alone at Pride Rock she knew she always had someone watching her. Kiara just didn't understand why she always been to be watched over so much. Was it just because she was a Princess or as it because she was still too little or was it both?
Maybe she should ask Daddy about it. Yes, that's exactly what she would do. Ask Daddy, he knew the answer to everything. Although whenever she said that around Nala, the older lioness would gaff with laughter and tell the cub that her Father only though that he knew everything. But when she told her Father that, he told her not to listen to silly lionesses. This always just confused the young cub.
"But why?" Kiara asked staring up at Gina. "Nothing can hurt me in the Pridelands. I'm the Princess after all."
Eyeing the cub, Gina shook her head. "Princess Kiara, just because you are royalty does not mean you are immune to danger and yes there are plenty of things in the Pridelands that could hurt you. You could fall into the gorge and break your neck or you could call in the river and drown. You could get trampled by herds if you're not careful. There are also rogues out there that would kill and eat defenceless cubs as well as any other predator. Just because you are a Princess, does not mean you are an exception from the rules of nature. Your Father has already lost your Mother, two brothers and sister. He does not wish to loose you too." Her eyes softened and with a paw she reached out and patted the cub's cheek.
"I bet your Mother wouldn't want you wondering around on your own either. If I remember correctly the times I saw your brother Kopa out and about around your age your Mother or someone else wasn't far behind." Which was true, Gina had only managed to catch a glimpse of the growing Prince a few times and each times she could see there wasn't a Pride member that far from him. Although a majority of the time it was the Queen herself. Those were also the few times Gina had caught sight of her or whenever she would stumble upon a hunt in progress. "Little cubs need to be watched over."
"But Mom, you always left me on my own when you went out hunting." Kodi pointed out from where he sat along side Kiara.
Gina bit back a groan at her son's statement. It was true she left him alone on many occasions when she went out hunting. But that was what cheetahs did; they didn't travel in groups like lions did. The only times she saw cheetahs travelling together was when there was a band of brothers or a mother with cubs that had yet to leave. But nothing more. With her paw she batted her son on the nose giving him a stern look when he was about to complain. "I may have left you on your own, but I always made sure to hide you and instruct you to be very quiet until I got back. Rule of survival for cubs when they are alone is to be quiet and unseen. Isn't that what I've always instructed you too do?" both her eyes rose in question while waiting for her son to answer.
Rubbing his nose with a disgruntled look, Kodi nodded his head. "Yes, Mom."
Looking back and forth between the two, Kiara had tried to use this time to slip away but she got no further then a foot behind Gina before she felt a paw stepping on her tail. Giggling sheepishly, Kiara looked over her shoulder at her nanny with a cheeky grin, "Man I thought I would least get away."
"I have eyes in the back of my head young Princess." That comment made Kiara look at her nanny with wide curious eyes but she saw no eyes on the back of Gina's head but maybe they were invisible. Did all grownups have them? Because she often seemed to get caught sneaking away by someone no matter who it was.
"How should we continue our walk or do you think it would be wise too return to Pride Rock?" Gina grinned when both cubs started to complain that they didn't want to go back yet. It was still too early in the afternoon to return back to Pride Rock. They both still wanted to enjoy it out in the Pridelands although Kiara was still sour that they couldn't go back far from the Kopje.
"Then there must be no sneaking off." Letting go of Kiara tail, Gina moved to stand in front of the cubs this time so that they would have to follow her as she walked. Taking one last look back at Pride Rock, then slouching her shoulders in a slouch Kiara walked on along after Gina with Kodi moving to walk along side her.
Grinning, Kodi rubbed his paw atop of Kiara's head mussing up her fur. "Don't worry pipsqueak you'll be able to go off on your own soon enough." With his age being a few months older then her, he was much taller and often used that to his advantage.
"I'm not a pipsqueak!" Kiara pouted, swatting away Kodi's paw while attempting to smooth down the fur that was not sticking up from where he had messed with it. Nala told her that a Princess should have pretty fur and from what the young cub had been told about her Mother, Zuri, had been a very pretty lioness and Kiara wanted to be just like her Mommy. Daddy did always say she was like her mother, when she was Kiara's age.
Young of heart, playful, smart and at times serious. Not to mention she loved adventure.
That made Kiara happy. She wanted to be like her Mommy, but Grandma always said she had her Father in her too especially with the venture part and that made her happy too. That had made her Father groan, when his Mother had told his daughter that because it made him worry even more about his only cub left. And all the trouble that Kiara could get herself into. Something he was really hoping to avoid.
Grinning widely, Kodi smirked holding himself higher on his paws. "You are too me. I mean you look so tiny."
Growling, Kiara pounced for him but Kodi was already taking off in a sprint ahead of her. "Get back here and I'll show you how small I am. I'll pin you again this time!" She called after him but Kodi was really running this time. Biting her lip, Kiara tried to pick up the pace as she chased on after him zig zagging through the tall grass both cubs had long since passed Gina but the older cheetah could see still them and they weren't getting that far ahead or off the beaten trail.
Laughing, Kiara's ears pressed themselves back against her head as she was determined to catch Kodi. To prove that just because he was older and taller then her didn't really matter. She'd been happy to pin him earlier and was hoping to again it wasn't often she got that chance he always been the one to beat her.
But suddenly something else caught her attention. The thundering sound of hooves stomping across the ground.
Ears perking, Kiara turned from the direction she'd previously been going in and disappeared into a taller section of grass and began to slink her way in the direction of the sound. The closer she got the louder it became. Then finally she poked her head through the grass, and saw that she was on top of a very steep hill and down below were the very source of the loud thundering hoof sounds. Her bright blue eyes widened at the sight of the stampeding zebra's that were running quickly from what was giving chase to them.
The Princess's face lit up when she caught sight of the Hunting Party running on after and along side the zebra to wear down their chosen prey.
From where she was now sitting atop the hill she could make out the lionesses and their positions. Nala was taking the lead while Sarafina and Sarabi were flanking around the sides with the others drawing their chosen prey to them in order to take down. Over the course of the month, Sarabi had been slowly edging Nala into position of Head Huntress. It was only after Nala succeeded in taking the position fully that the old beige lioness would step out of the Hunting Party to spend better needed time with Kiara.
She hadn't spent as much time with Kopa as she would have liked. She would not miss this chance with her last grandcub.
Kiara watched as each member started to close in on the zebra they had managed to separate from the herd. Leaning forward in anticipation to see how it was exactly that it was done when she heard a voice sound behind her. One full of disappointment and concern.
"Princess Kiara! What did I tell you about sneaking off?" Gina slowed her run to a slow trot then a walk before she came to a stop in front of Kiara. Behind her, Kodi was bounding along a little out of breath from having to keep up with his mother.
Groaning at having been caught at sneaking away. Kiara lowered her gaze to the ground shuffling her paws before her, absentmindedly kicking at a pebble in front of her watching it roll away.
Gina eyed the cub, refusing to soften because the Princess was pulling the innocent cub act. When she had finally caught up with Kodi it was to find him alone and confused to where Kiara had gotten off too. The only thing he knew was that she'd been following him. That was when she soon caught onto the young cubs scent and had taken off in the direction Kiara had gone off in.
She had quickened her pace when she had heard the sounds of the hunting party in the midst of their hunt and feared for the Princess. Hoping that she wouldn't get caught in the middle of it.
She been more then relieved to see the Princess was more then alright but also situated far out of range of the hunt. "Look at me Kiara."
Biting her lip, the cub raised her head to stare up at her nanny who was still looking down at her in disappointed. "Now answer me…what did I tell you about sneaking off?" Gina repeated the question giving the Princess a look that told her she expected an answer. "Well young lady?"
"Not too." Kiara mumbled.
"Then why did you?"
"Because I heard a noise…" Kiara explained. She looked back up at Gina who was shaking her head at the she-cub. Bending down low, Gina stopped inches from Kiara's face.
"It does not matter if you heard a strange noise. When an adult tells you to do something Princess Kiara. You do exactly that. That noise you heard could have been anything that could have harmed you. I already told you this that just about anything could harm you." Sighing in the end, Gina nuzzled her cheek against the she-cubs head then nudged her snout with her own. "Next time listen…if anything happened to you I bet your Father wouldn't have ever let you out on your own in the future."
That caught Kiara's attention. Simba had made Kiara promise not to do anything foolish until then…her eyes widened and she looked frantically up at Gina. "Please…please don't tell Daddy!" She begged wrapping her arms around the cheetah's leg.
The cheetah looked down at Kiara with a raised eyebrow. She hadn't planned on telling Simba for it would look bad on her if anything happened to the Princess. But maybe…just maybe if she made Kiara think she was going to do just that it would assure her in the future that the she-cub would listen to her.
"Well…I don't know…"
"Please!?" Kiara whined giving her nanny the best sad eyes that she could muster up.
Gina had to resist laughing out right at the cute display in front of her. But being a mother it was a look she had long since learned to resist when Kodi had given her the same look on multiple occasions. She made Kiara believe she was giving it a moments thought before she nodded her head, her face serious. "Alright but on one condition." She waited until the cub nodded her head before continuing. "You must always listen to me when we go out and to others as well. You don't understand Princess just how precious you truly are to this Kingdom. You know what's happened to your other siblings…you're all that's left now…you must always be careful."
Pouting, the Princess sighed, there was no fun in always listening and playing close to where she could always be watched. But if this was what she had to do to make sure she could go out on her own then perhaps it was for the best. Sighing, she nodded her head. "Alright…"
Smiling, Gina nudged her head against the cubs. "Don't worry Princess. Soon enough you'll be able to do what you want. But you must be careful…now…" lifting her head Gina stared down the hill to see that the hunting party was returning to Pride Rock with their kill. "Come on let's continue our walk then we can return for supper…" With a turn she swished her tail sitting both cubs playfully in the face with it laughing as both cubs batted and bit at it in a playful manner.
But just as she was about to walk away to get back on the trail, she stopped and turned her head to gaze down the hill. Squinting her eyes to be sure of what she was seeing and once she was her body froze. Moving to the edge of the hill, she lowered herself to make sure she couldn't be seen. Hushing the cubs behind her she whispered them a warning to stay back. She been right for right there in the distance was a lioness…an Outlander lioness sneaking through the Pridelands dragging behind the body of an antelope.
From where they were it seemed the Pridelanders had interrupted the other lionesses escape from the Pridelands and they had hidden until the Hunting Party began making their way back to Pride Rock. But now that the cost was clear the lioness was continuing on dragging the antelope off toward the borders leading to the Outlands.
Growling low, she wanted to follow this lioness to make sure she left and perhaps steal her meal from her. Too teach her that she should not be hunting in the land that they'd been banished from. But she had the Princess to look after, looking off toward the Hunting party in the distance and seeing they still weren't far from Pride Rock, Gina turned toward the cubs.
"Kodi, I need you to return Kiara to Pride Rock. Hurry up now and you can catch the Hunting Party. Tell them that I found an intruder and I am making sure they leave. They will know what I'm talking about." Gina ordered climbing back to her paws.
"But Mom you said…"
"Gina you said…"
Groaning, Gina gave them a stern look. "I know what I said, but this is an emergency. Now do as I say. Go and hurry to catch the Hunting Party and tell them what I told you. Now go." She gave both cubs a gentle smack on the rump to get them moving and stood watching them as the two hurried on after the hunting party. She made sure to keep an eye on them until she saw they were right on top of the Hunting Party and knew they were both safe. The lionesses would know what she meant in her message and she hoped they found Zazu who could relay the message to Simba. Then turning, she took on down the hill after the intruder.
With her speed and agility she was able to keep up with the intruder. It wasn't easy pulling a meal along especially alone and that gave her an advantage to keep up even though the intruder was still a good distance from her she could still make them out and would catch them before they could cross the borders. All the while she was expecting more to show up but that didn't seem to be the case.
Just as she had predicted she reached the intruder just as she reached the border. It was around this time that she took in the appearance of the lioness whose dull gray toned fur stuck out like a sore thumb. She could even make out that the lioness didn't bathe as much out in the Outlands. What do they do, just roll in dirt all day? She thought bitterly.
The lioness was just about to cross the borders when, Gina let out a loud menacing growl to alert the intruder of her presence. Perched on a large rock over looking the lioness, Gina unsheathed her claws. "You were banished from these lands Outsider with the penalty of death should you return!"
She watched as the lioness tensed and positioned her body over her kill in a protective fashion before looking up at Gina with a deepening scowl. "Since when does a cheetah care for what laws there are? There's enough food for everyone here and I wanted to steal my share! Now leave cheetah you have no business here."
"I have every right to stop you as those lionesses you hid yourself from. I am the caregiver of Princess Kiara therefore I serve the royal family. All animals in the Kingdom know what you did to our beloved Queen and royal cubs and for that you were banished from our lands." Jumping down from the rock, Gina advanced on the lioness. "Word has reached the lions and the King should be here shortly to deal out your punishment for daring to hunt on his lands."
The lioness growled and held her ground. This was her kill, she caught it, she dragged it, it was hers and she wasn't about to let it go. She had grown tired of rotten meat and being chased off lands before they managed to catch anything. That's when she became desperate and had dared to sneak into the Pridelands. She'd been afraid that she'd been caught when she heard the stampeding zebra and the sounds of the hunting party but luckily she'd managed to hide. Hoping they didn't find her and much to her relief she had gotten away…Or at least she had thought she had gotten away with it…
But what she hadn't been expecting was a cheetah to be the one to catch her. She became even more surprised when said cheetah announced herself to be the caregiver of the Princess. So, that was how the royals were making sure their last remaining heir was staying alive.
Her eyes flickered around when the cheetah mentioned the King would be on his way. She had to make sure she got rid of this cheetah before she could get away and she was determined to get away. Zira would be furious if she had gotten caught although the Outlander Queen didn't really know that she had snuck into the Pridelands to hunt in the first place.
Squaring her shoulders she spaced her front paws apart ready to attack if she had too. "Well it's too bad I'll be far away from here before Simba even arrives…and it's too bad for the Princess because it seems she won't have her caregiver anymore…" growling she sprung at Gina who had been ready. Jumping back, Gina dodged the attack, growling back at the lioness she allowed her ability to dodge the lioness's attacks then springing with her back legs she sprung at the lioness meeting her half way through her next attack.
Clashing the two tussled on the ground growling and snarling as they tried to claw and bite at one another. Finally getting the upper hand, Gina flipped the lioness off her and then pounced at the last second allowing her to pin the lioness beneath her. Her jowls pulled back over her teeth as she bared them inches from the lioness's face. "You were a fool to come alone Outsider. Now you'll regret what you did to our Queen and royal cubs!"
From beneath Gina, the lioness smirked despite the situation she was in. "I didn't come alone…" was all she said. But it was enough to get Gina's attention but no so much as the sound of movement and scampering paws behind her. Expecting to get attacked she turned growling when she found herself stumped at the sight in front of her.
Instead of another lioness like she had expected it to be…it was a cub…a small brown cub who was covered in mud from the stomach down from running through the murky water along the border. But what shocked her more was the cub's scarred face and one blind eye. "Don't hurt her…" the cub cried out. "Please don't hurt my Mommy!"
Mommy? Gina was taken back by that. So much she stumbled back away from the lioness she'd previously been holding down. Stepping back enough to watch the cub run on by her toward the lioness who she called Mommy. She didn't remember the Outlanders having more then three cubs and this one couldn't have been one of Zira's for she was calling the wrong lioness Mommy.
Was it that she had the cub after she had left the Pridelands? It was a possibility the cub did look rather young. Around the same age as Kiara or possibly younger. Maybe younger by two weeks, the cub was smaller then Kiara at two months so perhaps that was it.
"Mommy! Mommy are you alright?"
Kumai raised herself up off the ground, shaking her body to get some dust off not that it did much of a difference. She took a moment to check herself over but there weren't any noticeable cuts on her and no broken bones. This was not how she wanted the hunt to go. She had grown tired of rotten food as she had said before, more importantly she didn't want to have to continue to try and catch a vulture or mice just so that Zawadi could have a decent meal that wouldn't kill her by making her sick. She had taken an even bigger risk by bringing her daughter along with her. But thankfully that had saved her life. A whimpering call in front of her drew her attention back to Zawadi who was staring up at her with tearful eyes. "Is Mommy alright?"
Nodding her head, Kumai licked the top of Zawadi's head then took in her muddy appearance that concealed her two front legs that were normally white from her paws to her elbows. But with the mud she could not see any white. Nuzzling her cub, she purred to calm her down. "Yes Zawadi, I'm just fine…" she answered making the cub smile happily that her Mommy was safe.
Zawadi didn't know what to make of her Mother when she went across the borders that the cub knew they weren't allowed to cross. For fear that the lions living there hated cubs and would eat them. But Mommy said that she would be safe while she went there to look for food and she had been that was until Zawadi, from her hiding place had seen her Mother get attacked by a strange yellow and spotted feline.
The smile she was giving Kumai vanished when she turned back to the stranger with as mean a glare she could muster. "Why did you attack my Mommy?" she demanded stomping her paw on the ground.
Gina was taken back by the cub. Fighting the urge to smile because the cub's fierceness was more adorable then it was intimidating. "Your Mommy little one should not be hunting on the lands that belong to King Simba."
"But why?" Zawadi asked, looking up at her Mother then to the stranger. Her head high as she made it look like she would fight to defend her Mother. Kumai stared at her daughter then to Gina with a deep scowl waiting to see what this cheetah would tell her daughter. It did her good that the cheetah didn't seem to even know what the royal cubs had looked like but thankfully the mud covering the rest of Zawadi would make it impossible for anyone to know who she really was if this cheetah were to tell anyone of her daughter.
She couldn't let this cheetah alert the King that Zawadi was really his daughter whom he and everyone else thought was dead.
He would surely kill her if he found out.
Zawadi was hers now and she wasn't about to give her daughter up.
"Outlanders are not allowed in the Pridelands young one." Was Gina's only answer not really sure what to say to the cub. She was still surprised to find the lioness she had hunted down to stop had a cub with her. This made things difficult for her…she couldn't kill the lioness especially not in front of the lioness's daughter…and she couldn't let the King do it either despite the laws…as a Mother herself she did not want to leave a cub motherless and this one was awfully young still.
"But we're hungry…I'm hungry…" Zawadi's shoulders slouched her ears drooping onto her head to lay flat. "Mommy was hunting so I could have my next meal…"
This suddenly made Gina feel guilty. Not knowing that Zawadi really meant the meat was for her, Gina figured the lioness was trying to eat enough fresh meat so that she could produce enough milk for the cub. Perhaps that's why the cub looked so small…lack of food and nutrition.
Her head snapped up when she heard the roar in the distance that allowed her to know the King was on his way and was close. She watched as the lioness in front of her tensed and quickly positions herself above Zawadi who had lowered herself to the ground and was now shaking in fear.
Gina was at a crossroads with this but in the end growled to herself for her weakness for cubs. She glared at the lioness. "Take your fit and leave with the cub. I won't let a cub become motherless but I'm not letting you take the whole antelope you won't get far in time. So I suggest you take my offer or you can face Simba."
Kumai eyed the cheetah suspiciously. Thinking this was some sort of trap, she would pretend to let her go and then track her down again with the King. But whatever the case was she had to get Zawadi away from the Pridelands. Growling she looked at her antelope she had hoped to drag it back to the termite mounds for the rest to feast upon but now that wouldn't be the case. The cheetah was right she wouldn't get far with it.
Snarling, she looked at Zawadi and pointed for the border. "Go I'll catch up with you. If I don't run for either Aunt Spotty, dotty, Asma or Baya."
"But Mommy…"
"Now Zawadi!"
Eyes tearing up again, Zawadi did as her mother ordered her too and ran back for the borders in seconds she was across and running across the barren land. Disappearing behind some rocks to hide while she awaited her mother. The same spot she had been hiding in before she had heard the attack and had come running to her mothers rescue.
Once her daughter was out of sight, Kumai gave Gina a snarling look. "This had better not be a trap cheetah!"
"It isn't." Gina stated looking off the way the cub had disappeared in.
Growling, Kumai knew she only had seconds before the King arrived and would be best to act on what the cheetah was offering. Suddenly very happy her daughter had come along for it she not only saved her life but also was allowing this cheetah that apparently had a soft spot for cubs let her get away. Approaching the antelope carcass she began tearing into it, grabbing as much as she could carry. Once she was sure she had all that she could manage she gave Gina one last look of suspicion then darted off across the borders heading off to where Zawadi was hidden. Once she had her daughter she then bolted on off in the direction of home and get as far away from the Pridelands as possible in fear the King would give chase.
Gina watched as the two disappeared from sight. Lowering her gaze to the half eaten antelope she stepped back as she heard the King approaching. Lifting her head she saw Zazu swoop in below and land on her shoulder. "Are you alright Miss Gina?" he asked, he had flown as fast as he could to find Simba when Sarabi had told him of an intruder in the Pridelands.
When he told the King, Simba had been furious and had asked Zazu to scout ahead before he had caught onto Gina's scent and had started following it.
Nodding her head, Gina replied. "I am just fine Zazu…" she fell silent as she heard the King finally approaching. Bowing her head she greeted him. "Your majesty…I am sorry I had gotten here just as she was about to cross the border, she had dropped her kill and taken only what she could carry before crossing into the Outlands. I did not wish to pursue for I did not know if she was alone." She lowered her eyes to the ground when she saw the furious look on Simba's face.
Growling and making his way over to the antelope carcass, Simba studied it smelling the scent of the lioness on it. Kumai, he thought. So it had been her that had crossed into his Kingdom. For a moment he had thought it had been Zira for many of the animals told stories of catching glimpses of her but by the time the news reached Simba and he went to catch her she'd already be gone.
Sniffing the air, he thought he caught onto another scent, one he recognized but at the same time did not. "Was she completely alone?" he asked eyeing Gina who kept her head bowed while she answered; "Yes your Majesty."
Sighing, Simba looked around before deciding it would be best not to follow. The intruder was gone and that was all that was needed. But it angered him that those he had banished continued to defy the punishment he had delivered upon them for their crimes. He should have just killed them rather then banish them but he knew if Zuri was still alive she would not have wished him to become that sort of monster.
No…Simba thought…he wouldn't lower himself to Zira's or his Uncles standards.
"I'm sorry King Simba for letting her get away." Gina apologized. She was both sorry and not sorry at the same time.
Simba shook his head at her. "Do not apologize Gina. You did what you needed, you gave Kiara return home safely and you followed the threat to make sure they left and had me alerted." Staring on into the Outlands the King turned with a grunt to head on back to Pride Rock just to check on his daughter. He had worried at first about her; she was out in the Pridelands and had been close to where the intruder had been because it had been Gina who spotted the lioness.
But when he knew Kiara was safe and sound at Pride Rock was he relaxed about that. However that did not mean he did not want to return home to check on her. It was only in the middle of the afternoon, his patrol far from over but he would spare his daughter some time to check on her.
Gina taking one last look at the Outlands followed after the King soon enough walking along side him. "My King…I have to ask…how many cubs live in the Outlands?"
Glancing at Gina with a confused look, Simba shrugged his shoulders. "Three were all I knew. I only knew Zira to have cubs but if one of those lionesses had any then they must have had them out there. But it doesn't matter…why do you ask?" he looked at Gina his eyebrow up. Why would she be curious about cubs in the outlands? Did she see a cub with Kumai? Simba hadn't remembered any of the lionesses much less Kumai being pregnant at any time but if she was having cubs or had cubs with some rogue then that wasn't Simba's concern. It was the Outlanders choice to bring cubs up in such a barren wasteland and risk it that was their choice. They had their chance to live in the Pridelands and they forfeited it.
"No reason your highness, I was merely curious…I had just thought I saw a small figure with the lioness." Gina shook her head. Maybe the cub was younger then Kiara after all.
The two then fell into silence on the rest of the way back to Pride Rock with Simba ordering Zazu to fly along the Outland borders to make sure no other had crossed over.
Back at Pride Rock, Kiara sat near the edge as she awaited her Father. She had been confused by all uproar about this intruder in the Pridelands. She didn't quite understand but when she had asked if she could go back out, her grandmother told her firmly that she wasn't allowed. So now here she was hoping her Daddy would be back soon so that she could ask him if she could go out with him this time.
Her head snapped up and her ears perked when she heard the sound of paws on rocks and jumped to her paws with a look of excitement at the sight of her Father. "Daddy!" Squealing she ran to meet him as Simba climbed over the last rock onto the platform. Smiling, Kiara wove herself around her father's legs rubbing her head against one purring.
Grinning at having been greeted by his daughter, Simba bent his head and nudged his nose against his before finally pressing it against Kiara. Something he always did with his mate since the time they were cubs, by doing the same with his daughter it made him feel as though his mate was still with him in some way. "Are you alright?"
"Yes Daddy, Kodi brought me to grandma and the others and they brought us here…but Grandma won't let me leave to play." Kiara huffed looking over her shoulder at Sarabi she was making her way over.
Giving her granddaughter a look, Sarabi said, "That's because we need to make sure it's safe." Turning to Gina, Sarabi smiled, "Thank you Gina for your help in alerting us. Kodi is in your cave, I believe he said something about a nap."
Chuckling, Gina bowed her head. "There is no need to thank me Sarabi. I am only doing my duty." Bowing one last time to the royals, Gina turned to head to her cave thinking a nap wouldn't be such a bad idea with how warm a day it was and how tiring it was to look after two cubs at once with one being such an adventurous spirit. It was once she was out of sight that Sarabi looked at her son, "What of the intruder?"
"Gina says she escaped. I saw the carcass she left behind no doubt they will be back for it, but she had managed to grab a share before running off. I have Zazu flying the borders right now to make sure no one else crosses it but if they do he'll report right back to me." The King sighed shaking his head with a scowl. "I caught the scent…it was Kumai…" he hadn't known whether Kumai had lived during the night he banished them, for she hadn't exactly been there when he had given the banishment.
"So she's alive?" It would seem his mother had thought along the same lines.
"Has to be, I recognized that as her scent…but there was something else…there was another scent…a faint one…it was familiar but at the same time wasn't…and then on the way back Gina asked how many cubs lived in the Outlands." Simba looked off in the far direction of the Outlands then back to his Mother who seemed to be rethinking all that he had just told her.
"Do you think?" Sarabi asked raising her eyes to her son. She didn't think Kumai had been pregnant when she last saw her. But then again, Sarabi never really paid much attention to that side of the pride. They were just bad reminders of what had been before her son returned and she would have preferred that they never been there. That feeling only skyrocketed when her family had once again been torn apart.
Simba shook his head. He just couldn't be sure but then there was that familiar scent but so faint…it almost reminded him of…no…The King closed his eyes. His mind went to his other daughter, his precious Eshe who was taken from him just like the others. She was dead. They all were. Sighing, he looked back at his mother to see her looking at him with an understanding look. The King always did seem to go quiet and space out when he was thinking of his family. "It doesn't matter if she has a cub or not. They can choose to have as many cubs out there as they like. It's no business of mine as long as they stay out of my Kingdom." Simba stated matter-of-factly.
And it was true. He really didn't care what the Outlanders did in the Outlands. As long as they never returned to the Pridelands it wasn't any concern of his. Now he just had to make sure they stopped crossing the borders. News from the Eastern Pride told him that the Outlanders tried on many occasions to come onto their land before they managed to chase them off again.
Looking down at his daughter who was staring up at him intently, he grinned and bent down to nudge her lightly with his nose. "I should be returning to my patrol…" he chuckled at the pout she was now giving him but he couldn't stay he had to check the borders to make sure there hadn't been any other crossings. "You stay here and be a good girl."
"But can't I just come with you Daddy?" Kiara pleaded giving her Father her best sad eyes.
"No can do Princess. I'll be back as soon as I'm done though." Simba promised, licking his daughters cheek he turned to leave giving his mother a nuzzle as he did so. But he didn't get far before he found himself staring down at his daughter who had darted in front of him.
"But I want to come!" Kiara insisted standing her ground in front of her Father.
Groaning, Simba rubbed his face with a paw. There was Zuri's stubbornness alright shining in their daughter. "I already told you Kiara, no, you can't come with me."
"That's not fair. I was out earlier…why can't I go back out right now?" Kiara was persistent. She wanted to have more time away from Pride Rock and the only way she could do so at the moment was have an adult with her and who better then her own Father. Whom she thought spent too much time patrolling. Patrolling for what she didn't know. She thought it was silly.
Trying his best to keep his temper with his persistent daughter, he gave her a firm pointed look. "Kiara, it is too dangerous right now. We need to make sure this intruder that Gina spotted before didn't have anyone else. I'm not about to take you out there where you can get in trouble and I could loose you. Now if you don't start listening I'll take back what I said about you being allowed out on your own when you hit your fifth month." For a moment Simba thought he had won the argument. There was no way his daughter would fight the right to be allowed out on his own. He had done pretty much the same thing when he was growing up with the Rasheda's. There was nothing better then being allowed to explore the Jungle with his friends with no babysitter especially when that babysitter would at times be Jamine.
But the young cub just glared up at her Father. Her blue eyes afire with her disappointment at not being allowed out away from Pride Rock to play. "This just isn't fair! Mommy would let me!"
Closing his eyes, Simba took a deep. "No, she would not. Not when there was the possibility of danger out there. I made up my mind Kiara; if you want to play you can play around here. There are plenty of things to do." He looked back down at his daughter to see her looking up at him with tears in his eyes. For a moment he felt bad, he knew how it felt to be kept inside when you wanted to do something else entirely at his daughters age but her safety was his main concern. She would see that one day or at least that's what he liked to tell himself.
Kiara's lower lip trembled. It wasn't fair! She thought. All she wanted to do was play and see her Father more. He just wasn't fair. "It…it's not fair…you're not fair…I…I want Mommy!" Tears in her eyes the small Princess took off in a run along a trail that would lead her around to the back of Pride Rock wanting to be alone leaving both her Father and Grandmother staring after her.
Sarabi felt bad for her granddaughter. But she could see what Simba meant, they weren't sure if there was anymore intruders, and wouldn't know until Zazu's next report she figured. Shaking her head, she looked at her son to see he was beginning to regret his decision. Stepping closer to him, she nuzzled her head against his. "Don't worry Simba, she'll be just fine. But I can tell she's only going to get more strong-headed if she's like this now."
Dropping his gaze to the ground, Simba agreed with his Mother. "That's what I fear." He mumbled pulling away from his Mother he took one last look in the direction his daughter went. 'Oh Zuri…I wish you could be here for her…she needs you' he prayed mentally with another shake of his head he climbed his way down Pride Rock to head on to continue his patrol and find Zazu and what the majordomo might have found out on any intruders.
As he left a soft breeze rustled around Pride Rock, while a pair of sad sapphire eyes watched from the top of Pride Rock. "I'll do what I can my love. I promise."
The days to come were pretty much the same for Kiara. Sitting atop of Pride Rock, awaiting her Father's return. Since that day the intruder had been found, Simba had grounded Kiara Pride Rock when it had come to his attention that his daughter had tried to sneak away from Pride Rock but thankfully been caught by Kana and Ita who been watching the cub from afar.
This upset the Princess in many ways for even when Kodi left with his Mother when she went out hunting, Kiara was left behind to try and find something to occupy her time. The only thing that helped was the other lionesses, especially Nala. Kiara always liked Nala; the tawny lioness was always fun to be around. But when Nala wasn't around while she was out with the hunting party, Kiara found herself in the care and watchful eyes of her grandmother.
Who at the moment was napping in the shade that the den was offering from the hot afternoon sun. Kiara watched her grandmother from where she laid along side Sarabi in hopes to avoid the heat of the day.
Being grounded sucked. There just wasn't anything to do.
She was beginning to think her Father just wasn't being fair. She'd only meant to go a few feet from Pride Rock not like there was any danger lurking in the shadow of the great kopje.
Sighing, Kiara laid her head down on her paws staring out of the cave, her eyes catching some small birds chirping in a nearby acacia tree. Time passed more slowly when you were grounded. This was what the…she thought it must be the seventh day…but she really wasn't that sure. They all felt the same to her.
Boring.
With a groan, Kiara pushed herself up onto her paws so that she was sitting rather than lying down. Clicking her tongue on the roof of her mouth, she began drumming her paws against the cave floor to a beat in her head. But when that tiny bit of entertainment wore off, Kiara found herself pacing the length of the cave before finally finding herself back beside Sarabi once again.
Deciding to risk the heat outside, Kiara moved to stand along side her grandmother's head. Reach out, she patted her cheek lightly; "Grandma….Grandma?" leaning her head in she watched Sarabi peek one tired eye open to look at her.
"Yes Kiara?" Yawning Sarabi didn't bother to raise her head from where she had it resting on the cool cave floor. "What is it? Is something wrong?"
Kiara shook her head. "No…but I was wondering if I could go for a walk…I won't leave Pride Rock…I just want to get some fresh air…I promise!" Kiara added when her grandmother gave her a suspicious look. She knew she'd promised that many times before but now she meant it…why risk getting more grounded than she already was? There really was no point. If she continued to get grounded then she would never get the chance to leave Pride Rock in the future.
Eyeing her granddaughter, Sarabi sighed and closed her eyes again unlike her son she was willing to give Kiara the trust she needed. It wasn't like Simba didn't trust his daughter but his over protectiveness always went a little overboard when it came to Kiara and her safety and Kiara sneaking away at times just made it hard for Simba to trust her. Kiara was strong-headed and she meant what she said about it only getting worst as time went by. She was too much like her father at that age.
Simba would see in time Kiara was safe. But being so soon after he lost half his family she knew it would take time.
"Alright…" she mumbled tiredly. "But stick close to Pride Rock. Don't go sneaking off or your father will be crossed as will I."
Smile lighting up her face, Kiara licked her grandmother's cheek before nuzzling her head under her chin making a smile tug at Sarabi's mouth. "Thank you grandma! You're the best!" Jumping to her paws, the young Princess wasted no time in darting out of the cave heading for the ramp.
Jumping from stone to stone, Kiara leapt to the ground, loosing her footing she took a small tumble across the ground. Grumbling and spitting out a leaf from her mouth, Kiara pushed herself up off the ground and gave herself a quick pat down to get the dust off her. Once satisfied she began making her way to Gina and Kodi's den but stopped when she saw that they hadn't returned yet. When asked what they did when they left Pride Rock, Kodi always said his Mom was teaching him his life and survival lessons.
Something Gina told her that her family would teach her soon enough.
Kiara really wasn't looking forward to that. The lessons sounded boring from the way Kodi spoke about them even though he talked about it with excitement.
Deciding to pass the time with just exploring around Pride Rock, to see if there were any places she hadn't explored yet, Kiara made her way around Pride Rock. She was just turning the bend around the east side of the kopje when a sudden wind brushed against her chilling her despite the heat of the day.
Shivering, Kiara looked up wondering where the breeze had come from. There hadn't been one all day and looking at the trees she could see that the wind still wasn't blowing around them and yet it was blowing around her. "Weird…" she whispered reaching out she batted at the wind that blew some leaves around her. Giggling she continued to bat at the leaves till she noticed the strange wind was blowing further away from her. "Hey come back!" she giggled scampering on after the wind. She soon noticed it was leading her to a small indent in the side of Pride Rock.
Staring at it, Kiara noticed this was a part of the Kopje she hadn't explored yet. She didn't even know it was there. Over her two months of life she normally just went to wherever her watchers had her go. She suddenly felt excited for having discovered something new about her home.
It was then that she took notice that the wind was blowing right into the small cave. Blinking her eyes and looking around, Kiara tried to see if the wind was blowing anywhere else.
Nope.
It was only blowing into the cave. "This is so weird…" but cool at the same time she added silently. Looking around to see if anyone else was around, Kiara slipped on inside the cave. With her small body it was a perfect fit, she figured any adult would have a small squeeze if they tried to get through.
It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the semi-darkness. Thankfully she could see in the dark. Padding her way around the cave she started to notice that there were strange markings on the wall…not just any markings but paw prints…there were paw prints on the wall!
Hurrying over to the wall, Kiara leaned her face in to get a good look at them. Lifting her paw she pressed it against each paw print and saw they were slightly bigger then her own. The largest though was to the right of all the smaller cub prints which she pretty much figured them out to be. But the large one she knew belonged to an adult. But who?
"They belong to someone close to you my dear…two of them at least…the others…they are friends long since gone…"
Kiara jumped when she heard a voice she hadn't heard before but at the same time was so familiar to her. For a moment she tried to put a face to the voice but couldn't…but for some reason the voice was familiar to her and calmed her. The voice felt warm and welcoming and…loving. And she felt safe…like nothing could hurt her…
Looking around, she called out. "Who are you?" turning on the spot, Kiara couldn't see anyone. The cave was small so there really was no where for anyone to hide and she was completely alone in the cave. Turning to look outside she saw that no one was out there either. "Hello?" she called out but she didn't get any response.
Had she been imagining the voice?
Just as she wondered that the wind from before began to whistle through the cave…but in more of a soft humming noise…as if someone was humming a lullaby. And much like with the voice…Kiara felt safe, warm, loving and…sleepy?
Yawning, Kiara found herself lowering her body to the ground. Curling up she laid her head on her paws. Each second her eyes began to droop as the soft humming continued to ring through her ears. Just as her eyes finally slipped completely closed she could have sworn she heard the same voice from before whispering in her ear; "Sleep my sweet one. For I am here for you when you need me."
White mist.
That was all Kiara could see. One minute she was inside the newly found cave with those paw prints on the walls. Then she heard that warming sounding voice…and then humming…and then getting sleepy…was she asleep right now?
If she was that didn't make sense. But where else was she?
Looking around, Kiara squinted her eyes to try and make out anything. Maybe it just suddenly became misty in the Pridelands? She had seen that once but never this much.
Suddenly feeling very afraid, the young cub lowered herself to the ground her ears flat against the top of her head. "Hello?" she called out. "Is any body there?" She waited for an answer before calling out some more. "Daddy…Grandma…are you there…Daddy?" Whimpering, Kiara lowered herself even more and clenching her eyes shut when she heard a soft chuckle coming from behind her followed by the same voice she heard in the cave.
"Fear not little one. You are not alone and you are very safe. Just open your beautiful eyes and see."
Kiara was hesitant to open her eyes but once again for some reason this voice just made her feel safe. No one could do that…well besides her Father…she always felt safe with Daddy around. Taking a deep breathe, the young Princess pried her eyes open slowly but clamped them shut again when light that hadn't been there before had flooded her vision. But when her eyes grew use to the sudden light, she opened them again and gasped for she was no longer in the white mist or even the cave but…in the middle of a meadow that was surrounded by strange trees she never seen before. The meadow was wide and amazingly fully of pretty flowers.
"Wow…where am I?" Kiara wondered out loud. It was so pretty but obviously it was not the Pridelands. She never seen these type of trees in the Pridelands or has many as there were here.
"This my love, is the recreation of the very meadow I awkwardly blurted out to your father that I loved him…so…so long ago." There was the voice again…and did they say her father and that whoever was speaking loved him. The soft chuckle was heard again along with; "Turn around dear."
Still hesitant but curious as well, Kiara turned around, only to freeze at the strange lioness standing there in front of her. Her fur was a dark darker with a lighter brown underbelly. Her eyes a sparkling sapphire blue. And she was looking at her with the warmest most loving smile that Kiara had ever seen anyone give her.
"Who…who are you?" Kiara stuttered but slowly she found herself smiling back at this strange lioness. There was just something about her that made her feel happy and loved and there was just something so familiar but the she-cub just could not place her finger on it.
The lioness stepped closer to her, until she was a foot away from the cub. "I am someone who loves you very much…and wishes everyday she could hold you as she watches over you…I am your Mother my sweet, sweet Kiara." The lioness introduced herself.
Kiara felt her eyes growing wider and wider until she could not open them any further then they already were. That couldn't be possible her mother was…she shook her head. "No you're not…my Mommy is dead…Daddy told me so…" she whimpered she didn't think it was nice that this lioness was pretending to be her Mommy. Tears filled her eyes. Why was this lioness being so mean to her…?
Kiara then found herself in the arms of the lioness. Blinking her eyes, she saw that the stranger was lying down and was now cradling her in her arms, nuzzling her softly while purring. "Shh, don't cry my sweet Kiara…this isn't some trick…just ask your Daddy when this is over…for you see I appeared in his dreams as well…it is the only way I can communicate with you two…and I heard your Father's wish about you needing me and here I am." The lioness ran her tongue across Kiara's head.
The two month old look up at the lioness, and for some reason her doubts were disappearing. And just being in this lioness's eyes and the way she spoke suddenly Kiara had memories flashing back to her of a voice always whispering to her. Staring at the lioness, Kiara whispered. "Mommy?"
Zuri's face lit up with a gentle warm smile. Nodding she nuzzled her daughter, "Yes sweetheart it's be." She purred before she suddenly felt Kiara's paws wrapped around her neck as she buried her face in her fur. It wasn't long till she felt her daughter's ears on her. It took everything not to cry herself. When she had first heard Simba's silent prayer and the way her daughter was growing without her, Zuri had spent days trying to figure out just what she could do to spend some time with her daughter.
This was unlike with Esh…Zawadi…Who appeared at times capable of seeing her when Zuri wasn't even trying…Kiara could not see her no matter how much the brown lioness tried desperately to be able to communicate with her daughter. To have a moment with her cub that she could not have in life.
It had been Mufasa who had suggested the dreams.
If it had worked for Simba then it should work for Kiara. But the problem was Bakari who was insistent that Zuri stop trying to make contact with her cubs. That had angered the lioness to which she demanded him to tell her any other way she could guide the cubs. Part of guiding the cubs to the future was reassuring Kiara that her Mother was there for her even when Kiara couldn't see her. Sure everyone in the Pride had told the young cub many times over that her mother was looking out for her it was always best to hear it from the true source.
So here she was, comforting her last born. The cub that she had so much trouble bringing into the world, but had been worth everything in the end. Zuri would not have been able to handle loosing a cub…but she had lost them anyways…but it did not matter…she was overjoyed that her daughters were alive…she just wished the whole family was together…to be together always.
But that was never going to happen. A cruel fate had torn them apart and spread them to the four winds. When she had seen that Zawadi had been so close to having been found by Simba that day she had been elated but disappointed that Kumai and the cub had escaped just as Simba had arrived. Her baby girl had almost been returned to where she truly belonged.
That was when she noticed something…she could never tell Zawadi who she was whenever the cub saw her…if she revealed to the cub that she was her mother…it would make the cub question and possibly put her in danger if Zira were to find out. So for her daughter's safety she held her tongue. But here…here she could tell Kiara just who she was for Kiara knew the truth of her parents.
Laying her head on Kiara's, Zuri closed her eyes enjoying the feel of having the cub in her arms again. "There now my sweet, don't cry. I know you been missing me and it hurts so much that I'm not around. But I'm always watching over you. I saw you when you first started to walk and had tripped over your own tail…" Zuri smiled in amusement remembering that and it had saddened her that she couldn't have been apart of that moment in living. "I was there when you snuck off from Gina when you should have been listening to her a few days ago."
Pulling away from her Mother, Kiara still could not believe she was speaking with her. But her mother had said this was a dream…was this really her mother visiting in her dreams with some sort of…magic or was she making it all up just because she wanted a Mommy?
Her Mommy.
But when Zuri started talking about things she had seen Kiara do. She lowered her head sheepishly. "I'm sorry Mommy…"
Chuckling, Zuri nudged her daughter with her nose. "You are so much like your Father. He would get into so much trouble…as a matter of fact…you should ask him about the time he, and I and my cousin snuck away from out babysitter Jamine and snuck across the border of our lands and got lost for two days. And how much trouble we were in then." Zuri laughed softly at the memory. She really thought Simba was being too over protective of Kiara. She knew her mate was worried but sheltering their daughter was only going to make her more strong-headed and rebellious in the future. She certainly got her stubbornness from both her and Simba that was for sure.
Although it seems her mate liked to blame that on her part denying he is ever stubborn. Oh Simba…you will never change, my love.
Stepping out of her Mother's arms, Kiara looked around while she felt her Mother watching her intently. "Why…why a dream Mommy…can't I see you in real life…?" Kiara turned back to her Mother with a hopeful gaze which quickly fell when Zuri shook her head.
"I'm afraid not my love. Some have the ability to see the dead at times…some do not…and even when they do see us…it could cause trouble if we interact. Only when it is of great importance can we truly show ourselves." That was something she had fought Bakari over. She thought being there for her cubs counted as a great importance and the other great kings and Queens agreed with her on the matter. Plus how else was she to do her job properly.
Plus she loved defying Bakari.
He was awfully fun to annoy.
Something he seemed to greatly dislike about her.
"But…that means we don't have long…" Kiara whimpered. "I don't want to ever wake up Mommy!" New tears appeared in Kiara's eyes that made Zuri lick her cheeks to try and clean her tears away.
"I know dear. But that's part of the circle of life…things happen that are out of our control…we don't like them…but it happens. I wish I could spend all the time in the world with you my baby girl. My lovely Kiara. But I have done everything I can to be here in your dreams with you for now until you wake." Slowly getting to her paws, Zuri smiled down at her daughter who was still looking up at her with tearful eyes.
"Let us make the best of the time we have. But I hope you don't mind that it's more then just us." Zuri mentioned stepping around her daughter heading deeper into the meadow. She had thought of the perfect place to recreate in her daughters dream when she remembered the meadow she sat in when she blurted out to Simba that she loved him. Well that was before she bolted away from him causing him to have to track her down that is.
Kiara cocked her head to the side. This was all so weird…first she heard her moms voice and a wind which she figured was her mother leading her into the cave…now she was here speaking with her mother…in some…magical dream? Yes that had to be in, magic. Her Mommy was magical. She giggled with glee. Now her mother tells her there would be more…who was more? She pondered.
That was when she noticed her mother walking away from her. Eyes widening, the young cub jumped too her paws and started running after her. "Mommy! Mommy, wait for me! Please don't leave me behind!" she hadn't really realized that she had jumped through a bed of flowers to a smoothed down patch in the middle of the meadow and that she and her Mother were no longer really alone.
For standing all around her now were lions and a lioness that she didn't recognize as well as some brown cub that was dancing around her Mommy's paws and pointing at Kiara.
Her eyes got wide at the sight of the larger of the two males. His fur was the same golden brown like her Father's and his large red mane was the same colour too just like his eyes. For a moment she thought her Father had entered her dream too by her mommy's new cool magic but the longer she looked at the lion she realized his mane was bigger then her Daddy's and he was built differently. When he caught her staring he flashed a large toothy smile at her.
The other grown male had the same colour fur as her Mommy did. But his mane was unlike any she'd seen before. True she'd only seen one male until this very moment. But she found it funny that his fur was brown but his mane was a bright blonde almost like he had a sun wrapped around his head. He was staring at her with a goofy grin on his face and bright sky blue eyes that Kiara came to realize were just like her own.
Her eyes then went to the only other lioness besides her Mother. This lioness was very pretty she thought. Her fur was a beige tan and a lightly darker tan underbelly and bright warm brown eyes that seemed to shine with love when she looked upon Kiara.
And lastly the cub…his fur was brown…as were his eyes. Everything about the cub screamed brown. And for some reason this cub seemed really familiar to her but she couldn't remember. He was fully of energy despite his really small size…he looked like she did when she was that small…she wondered who he was and why he was so small…
"Kiara?"
The young cub's attention went back to her mother who was smiling at her. "Let me introduce you to your grandparents and brother. This is Mufasa, he's your Fathers Dad, and this is Kopa Sr., my Father, and this is Zakia, my mother and lastly this is Musa…your brother." Zuri introduced each member. It had been a full blown argument about who wanted to enter Kiara's dream in the end it ended up being the five of them much to Bakari's frustration but they would handle that afterwards.
They all laughed as Kiara's eyes grew wider then they had before. Her head whipped around to each one that was there. They were all smiling at her. These were her grandparents and brother…Musa…she heard that name…when they told her about her brothers and sister that died the same night as her Mother did. Musa…he was born the same day as her…but why was he so small? Shouldn't he be the same size as her? She wondered.
It was her grandmother who spoke when she seemed to know what the she-cub was thinking. "Because he died so young, his soul cannot age anymore then that of a one week old cub. But he can communicate when he chooses too and he can play. And he really wants to play with you Kiara." Zakia smiled warmly at her granddaughter. This was the first time she was able to interact with any of her grandcubs and probably her last but Zakia would cherish this moment. And she could tell by the looks in her mates and Mufasa's eyes they would too.
"We all wanted to see you." Kopa grinned at his granddaughter. He was rather proud to see her strong free spirit. Even if it got himself smacked by his mate for laughing at watching little Kiara want to make Simba pull his fur out. The blonde mane male honestly believed that Simba would end up doing that by the time Kiara was an adolescent.
Musa darted from where he was at his mother's paws until he was near Kiara. But because she was now taller then him he had to tilt his head up to look at her. "Sissy!" He squealed wrapping his paws around Kiara's leg.
Kiara was in complete shock. Here were many of her dead family members standing before her. This was magic…it had to be…her mothers magic…how else would that explain all of them in front of her. It was like she was getting her biggest wish ever to meet those she heard so much about. The only one she never heard anything about was her mother's father because no one had known him in life…But she was happy to know him all the same…that was when she noticed he shared the same name as her big brother Kopa who died as well…
Her Mother's laughter brought her back from her thoughts. Making her way over, Zuri bent her head down to her cub and grinned. "I can probably guess what's going through your mind. But right now don't think of anything about how this is possible or what's going on…just relax and let everything go and enjoy the time…for we do not have long." With that she nuzzled her cub and batting both her cubs with her paw she began to run around laughing as Musa gave chase to her growling in a cute adorable way as he ran along shouting he was going to get her.
Kiara watched all this with confusion until she felt someone pick her up and placed her upon Kopa Sr.'s back. He turned his head to grin at her. "Hold on and I'm sure we can catch them." He laughed taking off in a run as Kiara squealed and latched onto around her grandfathers neck as everyone present started to play a game of chase. Whatever was going on, Kiara didn't mind because for once in the longest time she felt happy. She was getting something someone normally would never get the chance to her. Her mother was right, it was better to just stop thinking about it and just have fun.
The games lasted for some time before the adults had agreed to settle down and watch Kiara and Musa wrestle upon the ground. With Kiara being careful because Musa was so much younger then her. But the princess soon found out that the little prince was tougher then he looked. That's what happens when the only people you have to wrestle with are your full blown grandparents. Kiara giggled as Musa clamped onto her tail with his teeth and scooted along on his rump as the young Princess galloped around.
Zuri watched all this with a sad but happy look on her face. This may be the only time she would ever get to see this. That was until she got her cubs and mate to reunite. But that was a long ways off. But she waited the day that she got to see all her cubs playing together even if it was them as adults it didn't matter. Heck she looked forward to the day that they all had cubs and those cubs played together and she would watch over them just as she is watching over her family now.
"Mommy?" Kiara's voice brought her back from her thoughts. Smiling, Zuri found the cub was now standing in front of her. Musa sitting beside her with a large toothy smile on his face. "Yes my dear?"
"Where are my other brother and sister…Daddy said they all died that night…shouldn't they be here?" Kiara's question made all of the adults freeze and stare at one another then at Kiara before looking at Zuri to see how she would answer that question. Musa looked between her mother and sister before hearing his grandmother beckon for him and quickly ran over; jumping right into Zakia's arms. Laying his head on her arms to watch his mother and sister.
Zuri stared at her daughter as she thought of an answer. In the end she sighed and lifted Kiara up placing the cub in her paws she began to bathe the cub. Not that it would really do much of a difference outside of the dream but it was a calming affect on her. "They're not here Kiara."
"But why…why can I meet Musa and not them?" Kiara asked tilting her head up to look at her mother.
"Because…just because…" Zuri sighed running her tongue along Kiara's back and up to her head. Humming softly hoping to distract her daughter from asking about it any further but unfortunately Kiara was a lot like her as she was like Simba.
"That's not an answer." Kiara pointed out. Her head looked at her grandparents who were doing their best to stifle their snickers at her obvious answer.
Shaking her head, Zuri turned her daughter to fully face her. "I can only tell you the same thing I told your father just after my death…have faith…"
Kiara stared at her mother in confusion. Have faith? What did she mean by have faith? What sort of answer was that? She wondered. She opened her mouth to speak but Zuri cut her off; "Something's are better left unanswered for sooner or later the true answer will be revealed and when it is…that is when you will know it…until you…you must always have faith in knowing the future will be bright." It was the only best answer Zuri could give her daughter. Smiling, she growled playfully. "Now come here." Grabbing her daughter she brought Kiara closer and began tickling the cub until her squealing laughter could be heard all over the meadow which was soon joined in by the others.
When she finished tickling her daughter, Zuri held her close, laying her head atop of Kiara's and hummed to her a lullaby she use to hum to the cubs the day they were born. As she did this, the other three adults decided it was time to tell stories, each sharing ones of their own. Something they could share with their granddaughter for the first and probably the very last time.
It wasn't long before Kiara's head snapped up from where it was laying on her mother's paws and looked around with wide eyes as the meadow around them had suddenly disappeared. "Mommy…what's happening?" turning her head she looked up at her mother to see Zuri giving her a sad look. "Mama…what's wrong?"
"It's time to wake up." Zuri whispered drawing her daughter closer to her. Eyes widening, Kiara latched onto her mother tears running down her face. "No! I don't want to wake up Mommy! I want to stay with you!" She cried refusing to let go of her mother.
Zuri fought back the tears in her arms as she held her daughter to her. Nuzzling her and whispering soothing words to her. Her eyes went to Mufasa who drew closer to them. Sighing, she let go of her daughter reluctantly as Kiara cried harder not wanting to let go of her mother. Bending his head down, Mufasa looked at his granddaughter with a sad but warm smile. "Do not cry little one. All good things must come to an end…now you have to be strong for your Father…you are all he has right now to keep him together. Do you understand?"
A little, Kiara thought to herself. But hiccupping she nodded her head. "I…I guess…But I don't want too…I want more time…"
"We all want time dear. But we must be happy with the time each of us is given." Zakia spoke up this time as she and Kopa came to stand along side Mufasa. Musa perched atop her head staring down at his sister with equally sad eyes.
Bending her head down, Zuri licked Kiara's cheek. "Always know that I love you and I'm looking over you. If you ever need me…just look up at the sky and talk…you may not see me but I will always hear you my sweet princess." Smiling Zuri nuzzled her cub. "And be a good girl for your Daddy…and tell him…tell him to continue to have faith…and that I love him." Pulling away Zuri could feel the dream world slipping as Kiara started to wake up.
Kiara's head snapped around as all their bodies started to disappear. Eyes widening she jumped at each of them only to find her body go right through theirs. "No!" She cried. "Please come back! I don't want you to do! Come back! Mommy! Mommy, come back!" Her cries echoed into silence as all around her, her family disappeared.
Kiara's body twitched. Her paws and legs kicking at air as she whimpered. Slowly her body began to wake up before finally her eyes snapped up and she jumped up stumbling on her paws at first. "Mommy!" she cried out. But she found that she was back in the cave she'd been in before she had fallen asleep. Looking around she saw that she was all alone…
For a moment she wondered if it had even happen. But as she thought this, that strange cooling breeze that led her to the cave brushed against her. Smiling, Kiara wiped her eyes. "I can feel you Mommy…I can feel you…" she whispered raising her head she stared up at the large paw print on the wall that she now knew was her mothers. Walking over she lifted her paw and placed hers against it but the larger one engulfed hers. "I love you Mommy." She whispered before pulling away.
Gazing at the entrance of the cave, Kiara then noticed how late it had gotten. Gulping and hoping she wasn't in trouble she darted and slipped on out of the cave and began running around Pride Rock. But just as she rounded the corner she caught sight of something that made her smile. Her Father. Making his way back from his last patrol. From where he was he obviously didn't see her yet.
Remembering her mother's last words, the young princess ran toward her Father calling out. "Daddy! Daddy!"
Simba raised his head when he heard his daughters cry, for a moment thinking something was wrong but relaxed when he saw her running toward him with a large smile on her face. A smile that always made his day. Grinning, he bent down to greet her as she latched onto him with a cry of. "Guess what!"
"What?" Simba asked shaking his daughter off his snout, and licking the top of her head.
"Mommy came to me in a dream!" Kiara shouted jumping on the spot. Simba did a double take at his daughter when she told him what had just happened and he stared at her. For a second he thought she just had a dream of her mother until Kiara said in a serious tone. "And she told me to tell you that you need to continue having faith and that she loves you."
It was then that it dawned on Simba that his mate had appeared to their daughter just like she had appeared to him. Have faith. Were her words and apparently they were the same words she told Kiara. Closing his eyes, he felt tears in them but didn't let them fall. She had answered his prayer again…she had come to their daughter like he hoped she would. Opening his eyes, he lifted his gaze to the orangey purplish sky as the sun began to set.
'Thank you Zuri…thank you…'
As he thought that he felt an ever familiar breeze brush over him and through his mane and he knew he'd gotten his reply. Looking down at Kiara who was looking back up at him, he grinned. "How bout you tell me what you and Mommy did in your dream." Picking his daughter up by the scruff he began carrying her up Pride Rock as Kiara started into what he figured as an endless ramble of the things that had gone on in her dream.
Sitting not far from them, four grown lions sat with smiles on their faces. Zakia nuzzled her daughter as Zuri laid her head on her shoulder. None had a thing to say for none knew what to say to each other. Each had just had a moment that neither had thought they'd ever have. Zuri watched as her mate and cub ascended the great Kopje while her daughter's excited voice drifted out as they got further away.
"Have faith my love…" she whispered. Smiling she looked down at Musa who was nuzzling against her legs. Her head snapping to the side when she caught movement from the corner of her eyes, turning she saw Bakari standing there leaning on his staff his ever knowing impassive face staring at them. "Here too complain?" she asked smugly.
"I am here to bring news." Was the Guardians only answer. This taught the attention of all that were present. "It concerns your daughter?"
"What of Zawadi?" Mufasa asked stepping up along side Zuri who looked suddenly frightened that something may have happened.
Bakari stared at them off before his eyes settled solely on Zuri. "It is time…it has been decided…for tomorrow her future starts…tomorrow is the start of what will shape her…tomorrow…" Bakari bored his eyes into Zuri's whose eyes filled with fear and sadness for she knew what his next words would be before he spoke them. Opening her mouth she words echoed his.
"Tomorrow…Zira's training….begins."
Some of you were waiting for a Kiara and Zuri moment.
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