Sorry for how long it took. Life has been busy. Went on vacation, and then just stress and more stress.
Chapter 4
A red sunset.
There was often a saying, that when there was a red sunrise, that blood had been spilt during the night.
But what was there to be said about a red sunset, which made the sky look like a river run red with blood?
The evening was quiet. There didn't seem to be a sound coming from the savannah as the animals settled down for the coming of the night. Only those who thrived on living in the dark would ever wander the darkness. There had been a number of hunts during the night for the pride in the past when food was scarce and the day's too hot during the dry season to waste the energy to hunt during the day.
The nights during those times were much cooler and allowed for better hunting. The fact that they could see in the dark was a good advantage during those times.
But there would be no hunt that night. There was plenty they had caught during an afternoon hunt.
A hunt that Sakina had come back too only to find one of her offspring missing. The lioness had nearly had a heart attack at the panic she had felt to find that Adimu had not been had Pride Rock when she returned with the rest of the hunting party. And what's more was the fact that the scents of strange males had been caught within the Pride Lands. That had only served to make her fear intensify.
Luckily enough Annan had managed to stumble upon her when she had sent him and Basi out to find her. When the both of them had made it back to Pride Rock, Adimu after her mother's demands on where she had been told her that she had simply gone for a walk and ended up by the watering hole to get a drink.
Sakina had been so relieved she couldn't even bring herself to be angry. She just gave her daughter a hug and told her how relieved she was to know that she was all right.
The lioness did not know what she would ever do if she lost one or much less all her cubs. Something she would never allow to happen. They truly were the last thing's that were keeping her sanity in check. There were moments when she thought she would break. But they would draw her back.
Her pride sisters and god-brother told her that she would one day have to live with the idea that some of her cubs. Like her sons. Would one day want to leave the pride, like so many young males in the past did.
And yes, she knew that was a big possibility…she even heard her sons talking about it from time to time when they thought she wasn't listening. But that did not mean she accepted it. The world was simply too dangerous. What if something happened to them out there and she wasn't there to help them? That the pride wasn't there to help them?
Simba liked to point out whenever he could that he did just fine out there and survived when he was even younger than her sons.
That didn't make her feel any better about the idea. Not in the slightest.
If Sarabi and Sarafina were still around they would tell her it was perfectly natural for a mother to worry about such things. It didn't mean she would force them to do things that they didn't want to do. She would not force them to stay. But that it was perfectly okay to worry about your loved ones, more importantly your offspring. They would tell her that she had raised them just fine and to have faith in her young ones.
With a sigh, Sakina lifted her eyes to the sky. "How I miss you…" she gently whispered. "I wish you were here…I could use your guidance." It wasn't just their guidance that she missed but their presence in general. Sakina at times could barely remember her own birth mother. She had been young when she was killed. Yes she knew what she looked like, she faintly remembered her voice…how her mother would starve at times because she would give Sakina her rationings of the food of what the hunting party had managed to catch on rare occasions.
But when her mother was gone, it had been Sarafina and Sarabi who had taken care of her. With Nala helping on the side. And it was them she now wished was beside her to give her some advice like they always did. As her cubs got closer to being full grown adults, she felt like she needed something, some form of comfort…some sort of love. This only made her think of Nuka…
Sakina shook her head to try and banish those thoughts from her mind. It wasn't that she did not want to think of the lion she still loved even after all these years that he'd been dead. It was just thinking of him made her heart ache so much that she would often end up crying. She got that feeling a lot just looking at her cubs, but it was Annan and Adimu who reminded her the most. Both had their fathers reddish hued eyes however it was Annan who looked like a copy of his late Father with his grey fur and blackened mane.
The only difference between father and son was that Annan at this age was much more built than his Father had been. On the other hand, given the circumstances on which Nuka had been raised in while in the Outlands it was understandable why Annan was much more built than Nuka at the age they were both at. Annan was now reaching the age around the time that Nuka had died…and Sakina secretly prayed nothing happened to her son that would take him much like the way his father had been taken from her.
It was why she worried each and every day in light of the news about the rogues that had been spotted. In fact with the news of two strange male scents in the lands…
Sakina closed her eyes and breathed deep. So lost in her thoughts she had not heard the sound of footsteps coming up on her from behind. "Everything all right?" A soft chuckle followed the question when Sakina felt like she would have jumped out of her skin only to whip around and see it was only Simba who was standing there behind her. A large grin plastered across his face. "Did I scare you?"
Taking a moment to calm her racing heart. Sakina reached out and smacked him across the head knocking his mane into his face and only causing the King to laugh. His large grin never wavering. "I'll take that as a yes." Simba moved from his spot behind her, to sit along side his God-sister.
He let his eyes look her over, seeing how much she had grown from that little cub he first met when he returned from the Jungles to the lioness she was today. The only difference was the linger sadness at the back of her eyes hidden behind the happiness she let everyone else see.
Sometime's he thought she was braver then she had to be when it came down to it all. But Simba could understand where she didn't want others to be bothered by her sadness. Simba had been the same when it all came down to his Father's death but he wished to see that bright smile on her face again. If his mother was still around he knew she would want that as well.
"So is everything all right?" He asked again watching her.
Sakina sighed and looked out at the sunset closing her eyes while the last rays of day washed over her face. "Just thinking about everything that's been bothering me for some time Simba." She admitted truthfully. Seeing no point in hiding her woes from him, the lion she saw as a brother could easily see right through her.
Nodding, Simba reached to the side to give her paw a gentle pat. "You know 'Kina." He started turning his body just enough so that he could see her better. "If you keep worrying about everything and stressing about the past and keep yourself in this endless loop sadness. You're going to cause your fur to go prematurely gray." He grinned at the dark look that she shot him. Well it was better than the sadness that tended to be there.
The King laughed ducking this time around when Sakina aimed another smack at his head. Her paw just barely grazing the edges of his mane. "Oh, get a sense of humour sis."
Shaking her head, a small smile tugged at the corner of Sakina's mouth. "Oh I got a sense of humour big brother. If I didn't, I would have died from boredom from all your jokes since you became King." She watched the mock hurt look come over the lion's face as he pouted turning his head away in a huff sticking his nose indignantly into the air.
But his act soon faded into another grin when Sakina's laughter reached his ears. It was not like Simba had not heard her laugh in the last couple years. He had. But it was still good to hear it whenever he did. Turning his head back, Simba nudged it against hers. "You know, we just want for you to be happy Kina."
Letting out a slow breathe, Sakina put a smile on her face. Nodding her head to show she understood, what he had been trying to convey to her. "And I appreciate it Simba. I truly do. I try…"
"I know you do." Simba cut her off, with a grin. He placed his paw on hers and gave it a pat. "And that is all that matters." He began to turn and head on inside when Sakina stopped him calling him back. "Yes?" He asked.
"How-how did you handle…realizing that Kiara was growing up?" Sakina realized how stupid of a question that was even before Simba started to laugh.
Simba actually wiped some tears of laughter from his eyes. "Oh, Sakina." He chortled. "You slay me." He grinned from ear to ear. "You should remember exactly how I handled that."
Shaking her head, Sakina blew the tuft of hair out of her eyes nodding. "Yes." She started. "But Nala and I were worried about just how paranoid you were becoming at the time." She offered him a small smile that he returned with a full on smile of his own. "At the time I thought it was ridiculous…"
"And now?" Simba watched her.
Sakina sighed, "And now…" she answered. "Now I understand your fear and paranoia."
Sighing, Simba approached her and nudged her with his snout. "Don't become like I used to be Sakina. My paranoia and fear about loosing Kiara…after loosing Kopa." Both of them shared a sad look at the mention of the young Prince that had been taken from them. Cut short in his young life. "Nearly made me loose her nonetheless. So be careful Sakina…don't loose your girls and boys by being too protective of them."
"Yes…big brother." Sakina murmured. Giving a little purr when Simba pulled her close and gave her a one armed hug. His paw patting her back in a gentle manner.
Grinning, Simba licked her cheek and letting her go. Without another word, he turned, and began making his way toward his den. Where Nala and much of the pride were already hunkering down for the night.
Many of the old Pride Landers stayed together in the caves. The returning Outlanders turned Pride Landers had their own sections of caves throughout pride rock that they claimed as their own.
Much like Sakina had when she had her own cubs. While she slept in the main cave in the past. She had settled for her own over time.
Said lioness sat there, watching the King make his way to the den, and then turned her attention back to the sunset. The sky no longer red as the sun set further in the horizon. Darkness was now creeping across the lands, as the day was finally over.
Watching the darkness creep along.
Sakina could not shake this feeling of foreboding that lingered deep within her. What was it? Why did she feel like something was wrong?
Did it have something to do with those rogues; Zazu reported the animals saying they caused trouble?
Surely, even three rogues, would be foolish to attack a pride as large as theirs?
Three males, against the five in theirs. That wasn't even mentioning the amount of lionesses they had in their pride.
Sakina sighed, maybe Simba was right. Maybe she was just being exceedingly paranoid. Looking back in the horizon where the sun had finally set and there was no more light other than the moon that would begin to rise shortly. A shiver ran down her spine, but Sakina pushed down her fears.
Stepping back, the lioness made her way down pride rock and to the cave at the side of pride rock where her offspring already were at from their scents.
Upon entering the den, she saw them all sprawled out on the floor of the den. The boys were already passed out, but the girls seemed to have stayed awake to await their mothers. They both seemingly relaxed when they saw her. Sakina offering them a smile approaching them. "You didn't have to wait for me girls."
"We know." Enzi started.
"But we wanted too." Adimu finished for her.
Smiling genuinely, Sakina laid down between each of them. Both her daughters shifting their bodies beside her so that they could lay their heads side by side on their mothers back. Sakina turned her head enough to lick the top of both of theirs, earning a purr from her daughters.
Her lovely girls, she thought.
Turning her head to look at her sleeping sons. She shook her head at the sound of Basi's snores. Then smiled at the sight of Annan kicking a bit at the air beside him from a dream he obviously seemed to be having.
Her handsome boys, she smiled.
Looking upon them, she could always smile. Even if that smile never lasted long. They were her means for happiness. Looking back at her daughters, she watched them while they slowly started to drift off to sleep. She licked both their ears, watching them twitch. Sometimes she wished they never grew up, and stayed cubs forever.
But that would never be…so Sakina would just need to enjoy what time she had with them left.
Never know, just when, that would be.
Watching them a while more, Sakina laid head down on her paws. Looking out of her den, from where she laid she could see nothing. She could not see the stars, and wanted to look upon them but did not wish to disturb her sleeping daughters. So remained where she lay.
Sakina didn't know how long she laid there awake for. Unable to bring herself to sleep, with so much on her mind and that sense of danger lurking within her heart that told her something was wrong and had to be aware.
It sometime late during the night, that she started hearing the sound of rain. And outside the den, she could see it coming down. She could not hear thunder, nor see lightning. So it wasn't a storm. Something that Sakina thought, she could take to her advantage.
Ever since she was a cub, and had seen, felt and heard rain for the first time. Sakina took comfort in it.
Rain had fallen the first night they had freedom from Scar's reign of tyranny. Rain had brought life back to the Pride Lands. Allowed Sakina to see things she never thought she would see when it came to the barren lands it had been in the time of her birth. And rain had fallen the day they had reunited the prides.
So listening to it, letting it touch her heart. Give her peace of mind.
Sakina closed her eyes. Feeling all her worries drift away with the rain.
They were safe…they would always be.
They had to be.
Upon a rock, long the western borders of the Pride Lands. The Dark Lion that lurked there for days, awaiting the opportune moment to take what he saw before him.
This was not the first time he'd been there.
Oh no.
Far from it.
He had once ventured across these lands many years ago. Only then, the lands he saw before his eyes now were not so luscious and green. But had been dead, so dead, that dust would kick up from beneath his paws when he roamed the dead shadow lands.
Yes, that was what he heard them call it.
And the stench of hyena had been everywhere. Even in this graveyard where he now sat. But the stench was gone now.
It had been in these lands, that he had met a certain lioness. With tanned fur, and ruby red eyes. A lioness whose heart he felt was as black as his. The thought of her made him purr.
There been many times, he had thought to return to her…and that of which he had left to develop within her womb.
Did she give him a son or did she give him a daughter?
Oh, how she had begged for him. Claiming the son that the King had given her had been worthless. And what he remembered seeing of the boy, he could understand why he was worthless. A small, sickly looking cub he had been. Probably never even made it to adulthood, he thought with a sinister smirk.
But his cubs…oh he was sure they prospered. Why wouldn't they? All his other offspring that he had scattered across the lands from his conquering all did.
If that King he had heard so much about, had truly kicked the bucket, than so much that sickly brat of his as well.
Hiassen had he had heard many stories of how the Pride Lands had come to be restored. It had been on the mouth of every bird and herd for miles spreading the word to the lands and the animals far and wide. That the Pride Lands were no longer something to fear and stay away from. He had not heard all stories of what had happened. There had been many.
Then there had been the stories of the new Kings war against the lioness…the very one that he had left his seed to prosper in.
"Zira." He breathed the name.
He could not smell her scent anywhere he went. And where he did smell it in the Outlands it was very faint. Old. As if she had not been there in years.
How such a mighty lioness had fallen.
Such a shame, he thought.
But he supposed, if she fell to these weaklings, peace dwelling creatures that called themselves lions. Than she must not have been so mighty after all.
Lost in his crazed ramblings. He did not hear his son come up behind him. "Father."
Hiassen turned his mad look upon his son. "Yes, Saka?"
"When do we strike Father? You promised that tonight would be the night!" Saka unsheathed claws dug into the soil beneath his paws. His dark green eyes staring at his father with impatience.
"Patience."
"You have been telling us patience for days." His gray pelted general came to stand beside his son. Bardo, an ever present sneer upon his face stared at the lion he had been following for years. That led them to victory over numerous prides with abundance of lionesses that had been shared between them all over the years.
He had spent days scoping out this pride, along with Saka. And the lionesses they had laid eyes upon. Many they could tell had never bore cubs in their life-times. No matter their ages. Which for them made the temptation all that more appealing. As it would only be their cubs that they would bare. As was the law of taking over a pride, that the males had the run of things the choice of females.
Bardo had lost count of the females he had taken in the years and how many had bared his own offspring.
Of course, Hiassen had first picks. Then Saka as the leaders' son. But Bardo always made sure to fight for those he wanted to claim. And he had his eyes on a number of those that he had seen, that he wanted and was determined to get.
Saka, being the same. This dwelled more on his impatience.
The lioness he had seen either that day speaking with Maji. She was a beauty. And untouched by the scent she gave off. He was determined to see that he made her, his. Along with any other young untouched female. His father enjoyed those with experience, while Saka preferred the innocent ones to woo. And judging by the way he saw her falling for…Maji's, he snarled at the name, charms, he would make sure she saw that he was a far better choice than that black ball of fur.
A snarl came over Hiassen's face, jumping down from the rock he advanced on them both. "We must let them be caught unaware." He stated. "With such a large pride and so many males…was inexperienced as they appeared to be many of them in the way of fighting…we must be careful in taking them down…they will suspect nothing of an attack at night…we move swiftly…" He turned back toward the Pride Lands.
Just as the sky opened up and the first drops of rain he felt on his pelt. A twisted smirk came over his face.
It would appear something was on his side.
What better way to attack unannounced in the middle of the night than to have something that would mask their scents.
Lifting his face upwards, Hiassen let the rain fall against his face. A twisted smile stretching across his muzzle. Lowering his head, he turned it enough to look at Saka and Bardo who was watching him expectedly. "The time is upon boys." He smirked turning to look at Pride Rock in the distance.
One paw in front of the other, Hiassen stepped his way over the borders and into the lands he had now stepped foot in for years. Behind him with equally sinister smirks, his son and general followed swiftly behind him.
"By morning…these lands will run red…"
Again sorry for the delay. Lots of problems in real life. Anxiety, among other issues.
Sometimes real life comes first.
Hope you enjoyed.
Next chapter things get really dark.
Remember to review. Thank you.
