Wakati Wa Majaribio

The Lion King and the Time of Trials

Chapter Two

Friends

The lion's eyes opened slowly, unsurely. He looked around, forgetting for a moment where he was. Then realization dawned on him, and he hissed crossly. Why was it that every time he wanted to tell her something about his home or those close to him, he broke the veil and returned to the waking world? It was quite inconvenient. Now I have to wait until tonight to see her! He thought, sighing with frustration. He stood, stretching so that a silver ripple passed along his white flank, his muscles moving silkily over his strong bones. Shaking out his scraggily mane, the lion squeezed his way out of his den, emerging into the warm sunshine of a new day. He looked up into the sky and let out a loud breath that stirred his whiskers.

"Hey, sleepyhead," a voice said nearby. The white lion turned his head quickly, his stormy eyes taking in the sight of a young dark-furred lion. The cubs were near the same age, but the darker lion was obviously less inclined to sit still. He still had soft cub-fur on his neck and flanks, too. But that could be attributed to the few moons that separated the births of the younglings.

"Sahlen." The white lion acknowledged.

"What are you up to today, Mahro?" Sahlen asked curiously. Mahro looked away quickly, trying to hide the fact that he was upset about the prospect of lessons. He didn't want to pretend, but he didn't want to appear discontent, either.

"More work, huh? Well, at least your dad lets you sleep in most days. If he didn't, you probably would pass out – you never get good rest anyways." Mahro flinched. He knew it was true – of course it was. He spent his nights in the Dream-realm, with Hatima.

"What about your dad? Is he going to take you out hunting?" Mahro asked, hoping to change the subject.

"Nope," Sahlen said without much emotion, "He's taking Kuzan out for a patrol. That guy's been on edge ever since he heard the news." Sahlen's eyes roved the clearing, and Mahro turned to see he what he was looking at. The white lion's grey eyes froze on the form of Kuzan himself, standing beside his mate, Hashiki, and Sahlen's father, Atcha. It was obvious that Hashiki was expecting cubs, and Kuzan was constantly on edge. Mahro couldn't deny it was unwarranted – the pride hadn't seen any dangers since the band of wild dogs were driven out six moons ago. But it was easy to feel sorry for the lion. Even if the details of Kuzan's old life weren't quite common knowledge, most lions knew that he had never had a lot of love or family. Mahro didn't like to ask, since it was obvious that questions hurt Kuzan, reminded him of a past he'd rather forget. And what was the pride for if not giving lions that didn't want to remember their pasts a home free of judgment and prejudices?

"Do you think Kuzan is worried about Hashiki because of what happened to his mom?" Sahlen wondered out loud. Mahro darted his friend a quick, warning glance. But Sahlen was insensitive by nature, and Mahro supposed Kuzan couldn't hear them from where he stood, fretting over his mate.

"Probably," Mahro said finally, sighing, "I would imagine there'd be justification." The young lion hesitated, looking at Kuzan. He'd only heard the grey lion talk about his family a pawful of times, and Kuzan had spoken of his mother even less. When he talked, he often talked of his father. Mahro wondered why that was. Perhaps he didn't remember his mother too well, since she died when he was younger? But he'd been around the age Mahro was at that moment, so wouldn't he remember something? Or perhaps they'd never been close? Mahro decided it was best not to try and guess.

"Hey, Mahro!" Mahro turned to greet Sahlen's sister, Tylah. The lioness had rich dusty-golden fur and bright green eyes. She was probably one of the most beautiful young lionesses in the pride. Many lions had their eyes on her already, but Mahro rarely thought of her that way – partially because she was his best friend, and partly because he liked a different lioness.

"Tylah," he said, dipping his head and then relenting to touching noses with her. Tylah turned and smiled at her brother. Sahlen glanced at Mahro with an expectant look that the white lion did not quite understand.

"Are you going training with your father today, Mahro?" Tylah asked.

"Yeah," Mahro replied evenly, "He wants to show me the types of plants that can cure a cough."

"Sounds interesting," Tylah offered. Mahro gave her a small smile, knowing she was just trying to encourage him. It had been his "destiny" to learn to be a healer, or so his mother had always said. He'd accepted it, had even looked forward to it at first. But now, he felt that he'd rather just be… normal. He wanted to train every day with Sahlen and Tylah. He wanted to learn more than just herbs and remedies and omens.

"Mahro!" Mahro flinched and turned to see his dad looking at him expectantly. He sighed, bowing his head in defeat.

"I'll see you guys later," he said, nodding to his friends before running over to his father's side. Ilendio's dark eyes were intent, searching. Mahro often felt as if his father could read his mind. As if confirming this notion, Ilendio paused and said;

"You don't want to train with me today."

"Well, I… I…" Mahro looked down at his paws, ashamed of himself. How could he bear to let his father and his pride down? He had to become an amazing healer! He had to be as wise and powerful as his father. If he didn't become so, he would be a disappointment. There'd be no meaning to his life. Mahro had often despaired, until he met Hatima. Her encouragement was like a breath of air to his dried out lungs. He'd needed her calm, refreshing presence to feel… whole again. She never judged. She never thought he was less than a true lion just because he played with herbs all day instead of learning to hunt and fight. She accepted him and didn't ask about anything he didn't want to tell her. He knew this was partially because their dream-realm was unstable. But he also understood that she would wish him his privacy anyway, if he wanted it.

"I understand, Mahro," Ilendio broke his son's train of thought. Mahro's eyes flickered as he looked up into his father's wise face. "It does not feel fulfilling to be separate from your friends and pride. But the rewards are great, Mahro. You will be very useful to them. You will be able to care for them, to save the lives of many of them. It is a wonderful feeling." Ilendio paused, looking at his son intently.

"What is it, father?" Mahro asked, seeing something like indecision in the black depths of his father's eyes. Ilendio sighed.

"I suppose I am pushing you too hard," he said at last. "Today, why don't you join Sahlen on his hunting trip with Tsyra?" Mahro looked up at his father, his eyes alight with excitement.

"Okay!" He exclaimed, rushing to find his friend. He was unaware of his father's grave eyes, staring after him.

"I only wish I could know how this will all turn out." He murmured, hesitating a moment before turning his back on his son.

||.~/~.||

The darkness faded, disappearing altogether when I blinked open my eyes. Great. I sighed crossly, casting a glance at the sleeping form of my brother. But I found, instead of a peaceful, resting face, Jua's bright blue eyes were staring at me intently.

"Did you… go?" He asked quietly.

"Yeah," I sighed, rolling off of my side so that I could get up and wash myself. I drew my tongue across my shoulder, tasting the bitter sweat of a restless sleep lingering on my skin and in my fur. I sighed, turning to see Jua watching me, his eyes wide with concern.

"Look," I snapped, "I'm fine, okay? Just a little… shaken. That's all."

"I'm worried about you. What, a brother can't worry about his sister?" Jua growled, standing. He shook his head crossly and made his way out of the den. I stood for a moment, stunned. Jua rarely ever lost his temper. I opened my mouth, as if I could call him back even though he was too far away by now. Then I closed it, feeling utterly stupefied. Maybe Jua really did think my Dream-world was dangerous. Maybe… maybe it was. I looked down at my paws, thinking of the Dark Place. I didn't want to go there anymore, that was true. But if I didn't dream, I wouldn't see Mahro. I wouldn't ever get to talk to my best friend, my confidant. Without him, I'd be trapped in this place without anyone to talk to. That idea made me feel somewhat empty inside, as if a part of me was missing. I sighed, bowing my head. Would I really have to choose between my best friend and my brother? The desperate nature of the choice caused me to shut out the possibility in my mind. There was no way the situation would come to ultimatums. I was sure of that, if anything.

I made my way outside, into the clear-lit morning. The sense of space was limited inside the camp. It was surrounded by walls of rock, the shadows of caves casting cold darkness upon the stones. The waterfall that rumbled down softly was a constant noise that I had long been desensitized to. I clenched my jaw, suddenly aware of its tittering gibberish mingling with the voices of my pride-kin. Letting my gaze wandered, I caught a glimpse of Jua's rich brown figure as he talked with his friend Nefti. Nefti was thin and lanky, a tomboyish sort of lioness with messy fur on her head that fell into her pale yellow eyes. Most lions were shocked at her flippant attitude and opinionated nature, but my brother had long favored her company. My parents had often spoken of the two marrying one day, but I knew it was as far out of their minds as anything could be. Jua was too concerned about controlling my life to have a moment's thought free for Nefti.

"Hatima!" I turned to see Laktta standing shoulder to shoulder with her mother, Kala. Kala was old and gray, with rheumy eyes that didn't do much credit to her looks. But there were traces of her previous beauty in the lines of her face and the curve of her brow. Her nose was still gracefully shaped with a fine pink tip.

"Would you look after my mother today? Khalha is taking care of Sufa." I felt a mixture of emotions, something between anger and pride. I was happy that Laktta trusted me with the responsibility of caring for her mother, but I was angry that the task would keep me cooped up all day. Kala could barely walk, her bones were so thin and weak. She would sit in the camp all day and stare at her pride-kin with those weird eyes of hers. She was old enough to have formed a sort of affinity with the earth, a certain stillness in her character and posture that made me think of her as I would a tree or rock or blade of grass.

"Alright," I said finally, knowing that it would be rude to deny my nursemaid this one wish. I sat down beside Kala and watched grumpily as Laktta joined her brother Miska for a hunt. Kala watched everything and nothing with those blind eyes of hers. Suddenly they turned on me, sharp and perceptive. I jumped back, surprised.

"I know you're looking at me." Kala's voice was gentle with a touch of reprimand. I was used to her kind ways, and wasn't afraid of her – no lion could fear someone so honest and compassionate. I looked down at my paws quickly, squirming from guilt mostly.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm quite a sight to see, I suppose. Old enough to have many friends in the grave. There's nothing left but to wait." Kala stared forward again and rested her left paw gently over the other, adjusting her creaking old bones into a more comfortable position.

"Do you miss them? Your friends, I mean." I examined her expression closely, trying to deduce what thoughts were running through her mind. But her sightless eyes gave away nothing. A small smile played at the old lioness's mouth as she turned her head a little to fix me with a foggy stare.

"Every day. But there's something about separation that makes the reunion worth the wait."

"How do you get friends?" I asked suddenly. I blushed, though, right after the words had erupted from my mouth. Kala tipped her head to the side and her smile tweaked a bit more, as if fighting to come to the surface of her expression. But her eyes betrayed her in their twinkling, showing me that she was amused by my question.

"You don't go searching, Hatima. Friends come to you. Most of the time, it takes true conflict to bring two lives together. If you want a friend, you have to be vulnerable. I wasn't friends with your grandmother at first, but our struggles brought us closer. That's how the world works." Kala flicked her tail lazily, and there was something in her expression that made me think she was remembering. I wished I could see what she saw. I wished I could hear the phantom voices that must have been echoing through her mind. However, there was nothing but silence between us, unbroken save for the whispering of the waterfall and the chatting of our pride-kin.

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading! Sorry that it took so long to update. As I have mentioned in other chapters, life has been insaaaane. Luckily the stress is dwindling, so I can actually sleep every now and again. I'm not an insomniac anymore! (at least for now v.v) Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please comment! I love comments... =v=

-Lion