Entry 283: "Route Venus"

Out in the grass plains, I was hiding under the black shades under a blanket of leaves hanging from a tree branch. But, myriads of flies were there, buzzing around me and crawling on my face to siphon the beads of sweat running down it. My father's star was unusually brighter and hotter than a few days ago. Hopefully, the rains will come before this heat was so intense that all the water and grass will vanish and cause several of the grazing animals of the serengeti to leave the land. If that happened, we lions and every other animal will be left with nothing to eat or drink. Then, we would have to abandon the place we always called home. It's not like I wouldn't do it if we have no choice. But, it's just difficult to leave what used to be one's home, just like the Rainlanders.

The flies continued annoying me as they fell past me. I tried to swat them away, but more and more just kept coming. After one flew into my eye, I stood up and ran back out into the burning sauna beyond the shade. I looked back toward the shade and groaned in aggravation before I went elsewhere.

I decided to head back to Pride Rock and stay in the den the rest of the day. While I slowly and literally dragged myself there, I looked around to find others suffering under this ravenous heat. Over 30 elephants shoved each around in the largest watering hole of the Pridelands. They pushed their hardest to dunk their trunks into the water and shower themselves in it. But, not one was of any luck. They were toppling others onto their sides, splashing water on the shore where it instantly disappeared. As I watched, the sound of multiple screeching came to my ears. I turned to discover an overcrowded tree of monkeys. Several tried to get on one branch that lots of others already occupied, making it a very tight fit. Desperate for elbow room, they pushed as hard as the elephants below them, causing a terrible struggle. They argued and struck each other in their jaws violently. They even caused a few monkeys to fall out of the tree completely. I shook my head at them shamefully. All of this had to stop. Searing hot weather like this always caused fights to break out, and no one will listen to reason. All of this had to stop before it gets any worse.

I took the direction of that arguing group of monkeys and elephants and roared to make them silent. In an instant, the arguing came to a stop, and each of the animals looked down at me. I spoke to them. "That's enough. Arguing will accomplish nothing. Look at you. You elephants are splashing around so much that there will be no water to argue over before the drought reaches its pinnacle. And you monkeys are hurting yourselves over one tree."

One monkey screeched back at me. "All the other trees are filled up! Even a few leopards are hogging them to themselves so they can sleep in them!"

"Nearly all the watering holes have already evaporated," the elephant leader added. "This is the largest one, the only one left."

I looked up toward the old Jumba with a visage drenched with sweat. "But, you must maintain order within your pack at all times. Keep going like this, and others will suffer."

Jumba grumbled contemptuously as he stepped toward me. "You don't need to tell me how to lead my pack! How we do things is our own business!"

"For the sake of the other animals, I'll make it my business!" I growled. "I wouldn't be surprised if one the elephants get pushed into that tree full of monkeys, knock it down, and cause an argument between both groups! With this heat going around, you cannot afford to get angry!"

Without any reasoning behind his actions, Jumba angrily swung his trunk at me and flung me in the air!

After that enormous blow, the pain was too great and far too sudden for me to recover, so I fell hard on my side upon impact to the ground and after bouncing on it for a couple of times. That bullheaded pachyderm! As I rose to my feet, I heard Jumba stomping after me. I looked up and saw him raising a giant foot over me! I leapt out of the way before being crushed under that massive foot. But, Jumba flung his trunk at me again and caught me under my belly. He held me up in front of his face and glared at me insanely as he began to squeeze me as he tightened his grip. I cringed at the great pain as I was left hanging from his powerful trunk. But, I looked down at Jumba with pitiable eyes and purred quietly, "Jumba, please put me down." Jumba still frowned and gradually tightened his grip even more. But, after a few moments, his grip became weaker. The black elephant stared back at me mournfully as he gently let me back down on the ground. "I'm so sorry, King Mufasa," he sighed gruffly. "But, we can't go on like this."

I nodded, "I know, old friend. The rains will come to replenish our land; I promise. But, until then, please maintain order like you do every other day."

Jumba gently put his large trunk over my head, a friendly and apologetic 'nuzzle' for me and other animals that he towered over. "I will hold you to your promise," he replied. "For all of our sakes, you better be right." With that, Jumba turned around to his herd of elephants. As I watched him leave me, he spoke to his followers. "Everyone, forget taking baths for now. Just drink as much as necessary to live through the rest of the day and we will move out at once." I smiled wearily and nodded. Then, I looked over the monkeys to find them sorting out their troubles. While the majority of the monkeys were still sitting on all the branches of their tree, the rest settled down under it where there was still shade, so the complaints were kept to a minimum. It appeared that everything was in order again. I could go back to Pride Rock now. But, would the rains really come before a drought completely surfaced upon our home? All we could do…is hope.

As I was a few feet away from Pride Rock, the heat continued to pound over my face. I had forgotten how hot it was when I confronted Jumba, but I was unfortunately too quick to remember. As I started to climb up the 'staircase' of my kingdom, I heard someone call out to me. "King Mufasa!" I looked back and found one of the former Rainlanders running up to me. It was Kabaila's son. "Mwali," I replied.

"I want to say if you were doing well, but I kind of doubt it," he grinned uneasily.

I smiled back, "Heat aside, I'm doing quite well. Now then, what brings you back here?"

"I wanted to ask you…about your daughter, your majesty."

"What is it?"

I saw Mwali blushing while his eyes shifted back and forth frantically. It was almost like he was embarrassed and frightened to ask his question. I smiled suspiciously but quickly hid it away as to keep a straight face once I answer his obvious question. "Well, I…I'm quite taken…by Zuhura, and…I wanted to ask if…if it was okay if I chose her…to be…my mate."

"You're in love with my Zuhura?" I repeated.

"Yes," he nodded.

I knew that question would come someday, whether it was from either Mwali or Kiruu. But, since it came from this young lion before me, I could see a functional couple. Mwali was very proper and sincere, and he looked to be quite strong at his own right. But, he also glowed in a timid, self-reserved aura which clashed with Zuhura's extroverted nature. But, if he could loosen up, I believed that Zuhura would be genuinely happy. "Very well. You may ask Zuhura without any worry about me. She should be out hunting right now, so look around the grasslands for her. But, if she should say 'no,' I expect you to leave her without any hassle."

Mwali quickly nodded, "Understood, sir! And thank you!"

With that, Mwali happily hopped away in search for his crush. As I watched him go, I shook my head with a large smile. "Romance really knows no bounds. Who would think to find love in this heat?" Finally, I turned back around and walked up the 'staircase' of Pride Rock.

Once I came inside the den of Pride Rock, I discovered only a few lionesses resting inside to escape the powerful heat. There were just six left inside while Sarabi and the others were gone. I would suspect everyone to be in here; were the others out hunting now? If so, then these lionesses needed to stay behind because I had recently impregnated them. With all the lionesses of my generation growing older by the day, more cubs were necessary. And this way, Simba will have plenty of friends to play with if I wasn't there for him.

Speaking of which, I found Anasa sleeping with my baby Simba in her arms. I quickly came to her and gently nudged under her chin with my nose. Shortly, she woke up and lifted her head to me. "Oh, Mufasa," she purred.

"Where is everyone?" I asked.

"Well, with the drought growing worse by the minute, Sarabi decided to gather as much meat as the pride can to sustain them until the rains return."

"I see."

I took the moment to watch my golden furred son resting soundlessly in Anasa's arms. Then, I noticed something else in her arms. I looked over to her right arm and discovered a tawny fur pelt resting over it. It was another baby, and it looked feminine! "Anasa, I don't remember this cub," I said. Then, a familiar voice called out. "That's because she's my cub." I looked over and found a grayish figure I didn't notice before resting along the den wall. Once it came out from the darkest shadows of the den, I met the familiar face of an ashen lion. "Busara!"

I quickly leapt at Busara excitedly as we circled around with each other. "I didn't notice you there," I laughed. "I can't believe you're here."

"I told you I'd come back," Busara answered. "Didn't you believe me?"

"You were supposed to come back in time for my son's presentation, but you never showed up."

I stood still and looked back toward the lioness baby sleeping next to Simba. "But, that there is more than enough for an explanation," I said.

"Yes. Sarafina was already pregnant for over 110 days by the time we heard about your son. The pride of Destiny Rock was going to escort us here, but she fell into labor the day before."

"She's so beautiful. What's her name?"

"Sarafina named her. Her name is Nala."

Nala. That's clearly a name fit for a lady. Sarafina obviously named her. This cub would most likely display the traits her mother had opposite from the cub that inherited the father's. "Say, are your other two girls here with you?"

"Both Sarafina and Kayura went with Sarabi and the majority of the pride to store a food supply for the possibility of a drought. The Destinylands are no exception. After Sarafina gets settled here, I have to return."

"You're not going to stay?"

"I mustn't abandon my duty as the pride's shaman. If a drought does happen, there will be sickness."

"Yes, I see."

Suddenly, my drowsiness triggered a loud yawn. "Make yourself at home before you leave, my friend." Busara nodded and went back to his corner to go back to sleep. I went to my rock bed in the back of the den and quickly lied down over it. Escaping the scorching heat from outside the den, I slowly shut my eyes…

"Daddy? Daddy, wake up."

That was my daughter's voice. I slowly opened my eyes to find Zuhura standing above me with a gazelle's carcass by her side. "Hello there, Zuhura. Did you catch that?"

"Well, I had some help."

Then, I noticed someone else by her right side. It was a black lioness! She was taller than any lioness I ever seen. In fact, I could say that she's almost as tall as I am! Her build was incredible, so the strength she displayed thus far went without question. Along with her powerful, crimson stare, it further defined her great aura of masculinity most lionesses could only dream of having. But, it's not to say she doesn't have any curvaceous glory all her own. This black lioness was very pretty. In fact, she reminded me of a lioness who had a similar but more feminine stature I awed when I was younger. Then, it hit me! That lioness was baring a great resemblance to Sarafina! Then, that lioness could only be one woman. I grinned warmly at her. "Well, if it isn't Kayura. You've grown so much."

In a gruff, low-key tone of voice, the black lioness replied, "Wow, you actually recognized me. It's not so easy for me; you're even more of an old lion than when we were cubs."

"Is that what you call me behind my back?" I sighed in coy discouragement.

"Anyway, we got this to store in our food supply," Zuhura said.

"All right. Kayura, may you take that to storage? You know where it is, right?"

Kayura nodded, "Yeah."

"I'd like to talk with Zuhura for a moment."

As I said that, Kayura took the deceased gazelle by its neck and dragged it outside the den.

After Kayura left, Zuhura and I were left by ourselves. "Is something wrong, Daddy?" my daughter asked.

"Not at all," I replied, shaking my head. "But, you must be careful not to overstep your right to hunt. We always hunt in moderation and consideration for the other citizens' lives of the Pridelands."

"I'm sorry, Daddy," Zuhura murmured, looking away shamefully. "I was having too much fun, I guess. I didn't mean any harm."

"That's fine, then. What's done can't be undone. Now then, I wanted to discuss your future for a moment."

"What's to discuss?" Zuhura wondered.

"Mwali came to me a bit earlier today. He told me that he was quite fond of you, and he hopes you would feel the same way."

Almost immediately, Zuhura stood up on her feet and scowled in frustration. "He what! Of all the nerve…!" Full of contempt, the golden lioness paced back and forth before me. I cleared my throat and replied, "I'd say it's clear that you don't feel the same way. But, we can't ignore such an exceptional young lion. And he's clearly sincere in his words."

"Hmph! I couldn't care less!" Zuhura scoffed, turning her back to me.

"Now, now. Is this animosity still focused on when you two first met? It isn't fair to judge him by what one lioness did to you that day."

Zuhura didn't answer. I sighed wearily. This was all too familiar. But, I didn't want her to make the same mistakes I did way back then. "It's not healthy to hold grudges, especially over something so small. If you continue acting like this, you will be just an angry child who lives to hurt others." Zuhura finally looked back at me with a quiet growl, but I only looked back with a calm, unnerving expression. It wasn't long until she called back her verbal attack. She closed her eyes and sighed in exasperation. "Can I go now?" I didn't answer right away. It was clear that she didn't understand, and I wanted to keep her here until she did. But, this was ultimately something she had to figure out herself. Maybe she'll consider what I was saying once she was free to calm down. "You may," I nodded. Willingly, Zuhura turned and sulked away outside the den. I watched her leave until she eventually ran off with one leap. I only sighed as I stood back up. "My little girl," I thought. "It was long ago, but I remember acting the same way when I was younger. If I stayed as self-centered as you are now, I might not have married your mother."

A little later that day, inside the den of our kingdom, nearly all the lionesses of my pride were all gathered together to escape the powerful heat. Many grumbled and hissed at each other due to lack of discreet space and the little food they managed to put away in their stomachs. I entrusted Sarabi to take care of the pride once they're hungry, and I strictly forbid anyone to eat anything larger than a carcass' leg to save what was left of our surprise. Taka and I naturally ate more than the lionesses due to the simple reason of masculinity, but even we took our feast in strict moderation. However, we all had to go without the abundance of water we used to have in our home, for most of the pools had already evaporated and the last of them were occupied by the elephants. We all yearned for that cool and wet sensation to ease our great thirst. This was indeed a hard time for all of us. It's good that we were prepared for this, or it would be a lot worse.

As we all stayed inside the den, Sarabi and I lied down together on our throne slab with Baby Simba in my arms while the voices of the lionesses overlapped with each other. My little boy meekly threw his paws at my nose with a wide smile. With a smile of my own, I slowly lowered my nose closer to him and just as he swung at me, I lifted myself away so he would miss. I laughed, "Too slow, son." We repeated our little game while Sarabi watched us with a grin of amusement. "I don't think I ever seen your playful side from the outside before," she said.

I smiled back coyly, "Oh, you sound jealous. Don't worry; I haven't forgotten about you…um, what's your name again?"

"Very funny," she scoffed.

I looked amongst the pride to finding Sarafina leaving Baby Nala in Busara's arms and heading outside the den. I was worried. Sarabi told me she was behaving strangely during the previous hunt. She hardly spoke to anyone when she first arrived. She only replied with a small grin but nothing else. And that look she gave Busara when she left Nala in his arms…she looked faintly sad and resentful. It wasn't like her at all. I couldn't let this go on any longer. I picked up my son with my mouth and gently put him in Sarabi's arms. "I'll be right back," I whispered to my spouse. She nodded and decided to give our baby a bath. I stood up and discreetly made my way outside to follow my old friend.

After a while, I was walking along the borderlands, and Sarafina slowly followed from behind. I looked over my shoulder and spoke to her. "Did you not want to come with me?"

Sarafina answered meekly. "I didn't mind. But, what is this all about?"

"When you came back from the hunt, I noticed something was bothering you."

This was far enough from home, I thought. Whatever happens here, I wanted it to be between Sarafina and me. I stopped in my tracks, but I didn't turn around to face her yet. "Is it Busara?" I asked.

"Busara? What do you mean?"

"He told me that he was going back to the Destinylands…while you stay here. Does that bother you?"

Sarafina wasn't quick to reply. I knew that was the case. However, Sarafina softly laughed, a fake, half-hearted laugh. "Don't be silly. The Destinylands aren't too far away. I can always see him."

I shook my head. "I'm not asking you to stay here. I haven't even made you to be one of my lionesses in the pride. You could've stayed with Busara, and I would never try to stop you."

Finally, she softly murmured, "Yes, I could've stayed."

I turned around and found myself facing the cream-colored lioness' tear-induced pupils. "But, this is my home. It just isn't the same without you, Sarabi, and everyone else. Besides, Nala is to be Simba's betrothed, correct? As her mother, I have to raise her. My mother died before any of her teachings were passed on to me. So, I want to pass on a new teaching onto my daughter as I did with Kayura, and that's something only I can do."

I lowered my head and sighed indifferently. "I see. This is a pride issue, isn't it?"

"I promised Busara I would do this. I'm doing this for the both of us."

I sensed continuation to her words. "…But…"

Finally, the tears began to run down the lioness' cheek. Her voice cracked, "But, I'll still miss that lion…and Kayura, too. She has her eyes set to go into the outside world. Busara and I both don't like it, but she's grown so much that we shouldn't worry about her anymore and let her go. But, as her mother, I'll still miss her." It's as I thought. I knew that had to be the reason. I lifted my head back up and smiled warmheartedly. "Don't act like you're the only one in the entire world who dealt with any kind of emotional anxiety. It's not like you at all. You always spoke up no matter what mood you were in. You were the one who told me to open up and talk to someone about problems that pound on your chest. If I hadn't, maybe I wouldn't be here right now. You can always talk to me or any of the other pride members about this. It's just as you say: this is your home."

Sarafina slowly nodded with a gentle smile. "Oh, you're right. I guess I thought you and everyone else might not want to hear the complaints from an old lioness."

As she gathered the courage to approach me, Sarafina gently pressed her head against mine. "Thanks for saying all that," she purred.

"Of course," I replied.

Before I could say anymore, a faint echo from a roar far away came to us. "Help me! Somebody help me!" That voice was faint, but I could recognize it easily. "Zuhura?" I gasped.

"That is her, isn't it?" Sarafina added.

"Come on, let's go!"

With that, Sarafina and I quickly ran off toward the direction of that cry. My intuition told me what might be happening over there, and that made me run as fast as my arms could swiftly carry me. I wouldn't forgive myself if he tried to hurt my daughter.

As we followed the roar from before, Sarafina and I found ourselves running towards the mountain where I always visited Father's grave, Mazimwi. As I came closer, I noticed large pawprints at my left. They looked to be as big as my own, if not the same. I began to fear the worst. It had to be him. We shortly made it near the mountain's base and discovered that Mwali made it here first and guarded a wounded Zuhura from his opponent, the evil beast Subaru!

Sarafina and I watched from behind a boulder as Mwali and Subaru growled at each other decisively. Sarafina was astounded once she set eyes on my counterpart for the first time. "He…he looks just like…"

"I know," I whispered.

"Aren't we going to help them?"

"No, not yet."

I looked back toward the confrontation and witnessed the battle between Mwali and Subaru.

After they both leapt from the ground, Mwali and Subaru leapt at each other once again and ran their claws through their heads as they shoved against one another. After one swipe from the young prince, the dark beast crouched back on all four of his feet to dodge and leapt upwards to tackle him. Mwali fell onto the ground but quickly somersaulted back onto his feet and tackled him back. Subaru demonstrated his raw power as he landed an awesome blow from his right paw across Mwali's jaw. The dark tan lion was sent back to the ground onto his back, and before he could get up, the evil Subaru grabbed him by his right hind leg and forcefully threw him at the mountain wall! Thankfully, Mwali recovered just in time to briefly hang from the wall with his claws upon impact and leap from it to fly after his dark adversary. He fell over him, and the two lions rolled around in the dirt before he launched the villainous lion into the air with the power of his hind legs. Subaru barely recovered and landed on his feet, briefly staggering afterwards. Mwali rose onto his feet and growled at his opponent ferociously. Subaru snarled in reply and crouched down, preparing to attack once he caught his breath.

Sarafina and I continued to watch the battle, visually impressed by Mwali's defensive prowess. "He's pretty good," Sarafina purred.

"Yes," I nodded. "But, he's on the defensive. We might have to jump in soon."

"Right."

Mwali panted wearily in between his snarls as Subaru regained his bearing and approached him threateningly. "Mwali!" Zuhura cried.

"Zuhura, get away while you still can!" Mwali replied urgently.

Mwali had briefly let his guard down, and Subaru quickly took advantage of it. He dashed after him with marvelous speed, and before Mwali could move, the dark lion delivered an awesome blow over his jaw, sending him spinning in midair before literally landing on the ground like a giant boulder! As Mwali lied over the ground, Subaru quickly stood over him and pinned him down with one single paw. Savagely, the beast bared his wet and shining fangs with the desire for the taste of blood. We had to come out now! But, before Sarafina and I could move, Zuhura leapt at Subaru and shoved him away from Mwali. The dark lion barely moved, and he proceeded to swipe the golden lioness away with one mighty slap from his paw. Zuhura slid across the sandy ground, a trail of blood left behind from her recent wound from her shoulder. With both lions down on their last legs, they were inevitably under Subaru's mercy. As the beast focused his attention of my daughter once again, the black lioness, Kayura, suddenly ran out of hiding and ambushed him! She leapt over the lion, clearly surprising him, and bit into his back. Subaru roared out as Kayura leapt off of him and stood still and growled at him. The beast turned toward her and growled back with an annoyed and sadistic stare. Then, he began to run after her. It was my turn. With Sarafina following behind, I ran from behind the boulder and ran quickly to counter the collision between them. As I came in front of Kayura just when Subaru began to leap at her, I jumped back at him and landed a swift and solid blow into his face in midair! Subaru was sent flying backward and landed hard on his back upon impact with the ground. He stood back up and found Sarafina and me growling alongside Kayura. Then, both Mwali and Zuhura had risen to their feet and appeared eager to fight him with the last of their strength. Subaru looked around and realized how outnumbered he was. After a few moments alone with his thoughts, he finally stood down and ran off to escape. With Subaru gone, the threat was over.

Mwali sighed in relief as he weakly collapsed onto his rump. Zuhura limped over to his side and purred to him. "Mwali, are you all right?"

"I'm still here, so I guess so," Mwali smiled.

Kayura, Sarafina, and I came to the two wounded lions and sat down in front of them. "Thank you all," Mwali said. "If you three hadn't showed up when you did, Zuhura and I would both have to die so young."

"It's no trouble at all," Sarafina nodded.

"Yeah, don't mention it," Kayura winked. "I couldn't stay mad at Zuhura forever, although she was acting like a complete hyena to me before."

"Yeah, sorry about that," Zuhura shrugged meekly.

"When we heard Zuhura's cry, I knew Subaru must have been after her," I added. "But, I should thank you, Mwali. I might have been too late to save my daughter if you didn't show up."

Zuhura smiled tenderly at Mwali and nodded wholeheartedly. "My father's right, Mwali," she said. "I might've been lost without you."

"You don't have to thank me. Any lion would have done what I did," Mwali answered with modesty.

Suddenly, Zuhura's eyes glowed with tearful excitement and a hint of passion. "No way! I thought you would be the last lion who would help me after what I foolishly said to you! I'm sure glad you were there for me!" Mwali smiled back warmly as he gently laughed with her. "Those wounds must hurt. Let me take care of them for you," she purred.

"You don't have to. I'm…"

But before Mwali could finish his sentence, Zuhura had already begun licking the wounds over his left arm. Ignoring her own wound over her shoulder, she was genuinely caring for his. As she came from his arm, Zuhura quickly went to Mwali's wound over his muzzle, suspiciously resembling a kiss! Sarafina, Kayura, and I sat there with wide eyes at what was unfolding. As a bond between the two young lions grew deeper than the ties of friendship, they completely forgot that we were even there. We stepped back and sat down to wait patiently until they came out of their own little world. Kayura just shook her head in exasperation. "Geez, who would think to find love in this heat?"

Sarafina laughed, "You think so, too?"

Naturally, I thought nothing about it; I was happy that Zuhura finally found a potential soulmate. Perhaps, I could…at least trust Mwali, after all…