Disclaimer: I do not own the Lion King
NOTE: Thanks to Reldor for telling me Mufasa's father's name. It has been changed from Jaramogi to Ahadi
"Simba," I whispered, the name rolling across my tongue. I looked at my sister and her husband, Mufasa, with their newborn cub Simba cuddled against Sarabi. I padded up to stand a little ways beside Sarabi. They looked up at me, their eyes glowing with love, love for each other and for their newborn son, and of happiness. I beamed back at them.
Rafiki, the old baboon, came padding over, leaning on his stick. He smiled softly down on the cub, before waving his hands and stick over him, blessing him. The tiny cub looked up in awe at the fruit rattling from the stick. He raised his tiny little paws, and attempted to bat at the fruit, but Rafiki held it out of his way.
Rafiki took one of the fruits and broke it apart, the ripe juices spraying from the rinds. He dipped a finger in one of the halves, and drew a line across Simba's forward with the juice. Taking some sand from the rock, he sprinkled it across Simba's forward. The cute little lion cub wrinkled his nose and sneezed. Mufasa, Sarabi, and I chuckled softly, Mufasa and Sarabi rubbing their heads together lovingly.
The old baboon gently picked Simba up, holding him to his shoulder. Giving a smile to the King of Pride Rock and to his queen, he padded to the edge of the rock. The animals below were eagerly awaiting Rafiki and the newborn heir to the throne. With gusto, Rafiki threw his arms out, holding Simba up to the sky, showing him off to everyone below and to all of Africa to see.
Elephants trumpeted, zebras whinnied, monkeys shrieked, and all other sorts of animals cried out in honor of the newborn king. Everyone harmoniously sounded the way for the lion cub, celebrating his birth. I could tell that Mufasa and Sarabi were touched and proud.
The clouds parted, and a ray of sunlight hit Rafiki and Simba, illuminating them in a golden glow. Mufasa and Sarabi were also included in the light. One by one, all the animals below began to bow. I knew in that instant that I would never to be able to forget this moment for as long as I lived.
I padded through the rocky overhang, firmly fixed on my destination. He was slinking throughout his little cavern, muttering to himself. "Scar," I called tightly. The great cat froze for a moment before swinging around to greet me.
"My dear Kioni," he cooed. He propped himself onto a rock, resting his head on one paw. His green eyes surveyed me keenly, his pink scar standing out, while his black mane shifted slightly in the wind. Scar's eyes widened theatrically. "Why, for the life of me I cannot figure out why you have come to see little ol' me." He put a paw to his mouth, feigning surprise. "Has Kioni finally fallen for my great wit and unending charm?" He stood up and padded closer to me.
I stood firmly where I was, determined not to play his little game. "Scar, why weren't you at Simba's ceremony? You were required to be there, as the King's brother!"
Scar snorted. "Oh, don't be a bother with all the details, my dear. I was feeling rather queasy this morning, probably something I ate. Indigestion, I suppose. Thought it best not to show." He gave me that sly smile of his while he slunk around me.
I glared at him. "Oh, Scar, stop it. You and I both know the reason why, and I'm telling you that you need to let go! You need to stop being bitter and power-hungry!"
Scar smirked. "Dear, dear. Listen to yourself go on. Getting worked up like that could be harmful to your health. Do try to calm down, my dear."
I turned around to face him, fighting down the rage boiling through me. "Let go, Scar. For once in your life try not to see what Mufasa has and focus on what you have!"
Scar raised his eyes to the ceiling, shaking his head and tsking. "Haven't heard this speech before, have we? Pray tell me, Kioni, what do I have that's so special?" He stepped closer to me, his eyes glowing.
I stood my ground. "A family that cares about you."
"Are you involved in this...family?" Scar asked, raising an eyebrow.
I hesitated slightly. "I am Sarabi's sister, after all."
"Hmph." Scar turned away from me, and headed toward the back of his cavern. He laid down on a rock, his tail flicking idly.
Seeing that this would get me nowhere, I sat down, looking out toward the entrance. Daylight streamed through the entrance, illuminating certain spots in the craggy cave with its glow. The heat was comfortable, and everything was peaceful outside.
"I miss her," I said quietly. Although Scar didn't say anything, the swishing of his tail slowed, and I knew that he was listening. "My mother, I mean."
"Ah, Kerubo," Scar drawled from the back of the cave. "Such a worthy lioness. You do take after her looks, I must say."
Ignoring him, I continued gazing out over the plains. "Every day. She was everything to me." I turned my head to look at Scar's dark form. "Don't you miss your father? I know I do. He was a great king. Like a father to me. Mufasa is also a great king. He's just like Ahadi, isn't he?"
Scar leaped up, snarling softly under his breath. He jumped forward to stand in front of me. "I see where this is going," he hissed, slinking around me. "Kioni, Kioni. Don't ever bring up my father in my presence. He was a worthless coward, too obsessed with peace and too foolish for his own good! Mufasa is the same."
"And how would you be, Scar, if you were king?" I snarled back. "Would there be war? Chaos? Is that what you would bring upon every animal here? Why must you think like this, Scar?" Scar's eyes narrowed, and I could tell that things were about to get ugly. I began to brace myself, but a small cough interrupted me. I looked to see Zazu, Mufasa's advisor, perched at the entrance to the cave. Giving Scar one last glare, I vaulted out of the cave, and padded up to the top of Pride Rock.
Gazing out over the plains, I felt tears prick my eyes. "Oh, Ahadi. I've failed you."
A/N
Well, how'd I do? :) Second chapter, yay! Third chapter will be out tomorrow.
NAMES~!
Kioni - She who sees
Kerubo - Born on the plain
Please review~!
~Eva Sirico~