Chapter 2

What Taka saw was a friend. Zuzu's eggs had finally hatched- all two of them. From what Taka could see, the third egg was bad. Zuzu disregarded the egg, and a few days later she pushed it out of the nest. "You'll each get one." She promised. "Mufasa, as king, you get first pick." Mufasa seemed a bit smug at this point. He always did everything first because of his rank. After a minute, Mufasa chose the light blue hatchling. "Zazu." Mufasa said, as though that made it final.

Taka was fine with that. He liked the little greenish-black hatchling before he even looked at Zazu. As Mufasa leaped off the tree, Taka nuzzled his bird. "What will you name him?" Zuzu asked. "Hmm. That's a good question…" Taka's voice trailed off. What would he name the bird? "I'll have to come up with a name." he said simply. "I'm very sorry." "Why should you be? It takes a while to find the right one sometimes." Zuzu lovingly caressed her hatchlings.

Taka jumped as Ahadi roared angrily. He was searching for Taka, it seemed. Why else would he just bellow my name out like that? Taka said goodbye to the family of majordomos and carefully climbed down the trunk. "Graaaaaaaaaaaaaawr!" he answered. It was a sad, pitiful roar. Ahadi had never taken the time to teach Taka how to roar- Uru had. But somehow Taka's roar was weak. Maybe it had to do with the time when he was a cub that Ahadi had picked him up too roughly and had hurt his windpipe. Maybe a lion could not be taught by a lioness.

Ahadi bounded out of the foliage of the plain, clearly not amused. He hunched his back, claws out and teeth bared. "You." He growled simply. Taka looked at his father. "Yes?" he asked. "Who told you that you could have a majordomo? You'll never be king!" Ahadi scrunched up his neck, as if waiting to pounce. "Um… no one told me. Mother and Zuzu never said any different, though, so… why are you looking at me like that?" Ahadi had relaxed a little, lips pulled forward as if to kiss. "Oh. I see, you little *CENSORED*! HOW DARE YOU USE YOUR MOTHER TO BECOME SOMETHING YOU'LL NEVER BE!" and with that, Ahadi leapt at Taka.

Uru opened her eyes and lifted her head. Groggily, she listened to the wind. "Thought I heard a roar…" she mumbled sleepily. As she put her head down, there was a strangled yowl of pain and an angry roar. Uru moved a bit faster this time, eyes wide, ears pushed all the way forward. She listened one last time. There it was again. Uru knew somehow- she just knew- "Taka…"

Leaping off the side of Pride Rock was a bad idea in general, especially in an emergency. But that is what Uru did. She landed badly on her front legs and was running lopsidedly before her back legs even hit the ground. Once they did, she took off at full speed. Her son was in danger, and someone else was hurting him- someone close.

And if she knew just exactly who that other someone was, he'd be banished before he even knew what had hit him. As another tangled, pained yelp took place, Uru's pace quickened as never before.

Ahadi shook Taka roughly. Taka's breathing was becoming strained. Ahadi smiled and snapped Taka around again. This wasn't his son. This thing was just another intruder. And intruders needed to be dealt with. He was about to deliver a final chomp to Taka's neck when there was a screaming roar and a huge pain in Ahadi's side. He kept his grip on Taka as they fell to the side and tried to fight back.

"LET GO OF MY SON!!" screamed the lioness. Ahadi kicked at her, blinded by Taka's blood. Taka was trying to pull away- but he was too weak. Ahadi smile darkly. The blood- it tasted so good- he was finally ridding the world of an unworthy wretch- the lioness would pay for interfering- "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!" the lioness let out a scream of pain. There was a thud, a crack, and a huge tug on Ahadi's mouth. Suddenly, there seemed to be two other bodies on top of Ahadi, jumping on him, and he had to let go of Taka.

He roared in pain and fury and lashed out, claws extended to the full. He felt soft flesh, and heard a squeal of pained fury. He felt his eye clawed to the point where he knew he would be blind in that eye forever. "Dad! DAD! Stop! You have to stop!" Mufasa's voice rang out in all the madness. Ahadi relaxed a little, seeing that his son was here. Now everything would be alright. It would all be okay.

But it would never be okay. Not for Ahadi, not for Taka, not for Uru, Mufasa, or Serafina. It would never be okay for them now. Ahadi's madness had cost all of them something very dear to them all- not only would they lose their king, not only would Uru lose her son's humanity, not only would Serafina be scarred for life about what she had seen, but they would also lose their Queen. She would be lost to them forever- and with her would go Taka. Scar would emerge, taking Taka's place, and become something either Scar or Taka would ever have wanted to be.

In the shadows, a tall, thin lioness with a brown stripe sneered darkly. She laughed quietly to herself and slithered to a more private area. There she stood, on a hill over the river, looking at Pride Rock. She laughed more so now, feeling quite happy over what she had just witnessed. Her tail tip moved back and forth in joy. Soon, Taka would be hers- as would his throne. But first, now that the first step was done, Mufasa had to be dealt with.

But for now, she would let everything settle. There was still time, and Sarabi had been dealt with personally by her. The cobra was her ally, and she had rewarded him with more than he had wanted- death. Once again she laughed, seeming almost mad with happiness, as she looked at Pride Rock again. Soon, all of this would be hers. With Taka at her side, she would rule over all.

The lionesses' mind wandered over to her love. Taka would live a full and happy life, she would see to that. He would never need to worry about ruling the kingdom- she would do that all. Taka, her beloved Taka, would always be by her side, safe from harm and hatred. She regretted that she could not have saved Taka from Ahadi without ruining the plan, and that his scars were her fault in a way. She really did regret that, and swore to herself that, until the day he died, she would also follow his exact wishes, even if he told her not to rule the kingdom.

She would step aside and let him rule. Whatever he wanted- his wishes- she wanted too. And she would not let Mufasa or Sarabi try to ruin her plans. They must be dealt with- personally by Taka himself. Only then, she thought, will he realize what true potential is. Zira laughed out loud for a long, long time after that thought.

Taka sobbed deeply into his Mother's fur, soiling it with his blood. Mufasa stood by him, silent, tears streaming down his face. Serafina was getting Rafiki and the other lionesses. Ahadi just sat by, stunned beyond recognition. His face was so twisted and scratched up that, if you didn't know Ahadi at all, you may have thought he was just another lion on the land. His one good eye was leaking tears. His jaw was closed firmly, body tight in pain.

Uru's breathing was shallow. Ahadi had kicked her hard enough to send her flying into a tree trunk that had crushed some part and then stunned her. She was still alive, as she would be for a few more years, but at the moment, it looked as though she was dying. Taka kept sobbing until he began to hiccup. Mufasa placed a heavy paw on his brother's back to comfort him. Taka moved closer to his brother, only wanting to be comforted and loved, and to be told Uru would be alright.

Rafiki soon arrived. Taka knew this by how Rafiki pressed his stick into Taka's side. Taka looked on, fur becoming somewhat clean from the tears, and shuddered. He sniffed softly. Rafiki lifted Uru's paw and spoke to her. "Queen Uru, if dat is you in dere, open your eyes." Everyone held their breath. Uru was not responding. Taka held his breath and bit his lip. Ahadi seemed to stare blankly ahead. Mufasa looked at Rafiki, jaw slightly open. Serafina held her tongue for fear of calling the deceased's name.

Uru opened her eyes. She took a shuddering breath. Taka opened his mouth in an open smile; ears perked all the way forward. Mufasa smiled. Serafina breathed. Ahadi only looked on. Uru looked at Rafiki. "Am I dying?" she mouthed. Rafiki shook his head. "She will be okay." He announced, and gently put her paw down. "She just needs some rest." Taka ran to his mother's side, fresh tears appearing. He helped his wounded mother across the plain. Mufasa stayed behind with Ahadi, and Serafina carried Rafiki and helped Uru.

"What is happening? Sarabi just barely closes her eyes before the cobra spits, Ahadi attacks us both… and I can feel tension between the lionesses. So much in one day…" Uru's voice trailed off. Taka wanted so badly to comfort his mother. He opened his jaws and tried to speak. All that came out was a garbled blood bubble. It popped and splattered onto Uru's fur. Rafiki looked at Taka. "We will have to do someting wit you." "Taka! Oh, Taka, you're a mess!" the new lioness, Zira, bounded up out of nowhere, the other lionesses following her somewhat.

Taka opened his eyes wide and let out a hoarse groan as Zira smashed into him. "Are you alright? Where's Ahadi? Let me take Uru, Taka, you-" but she was cut off by one of the older lionesses. "Zira! How dare you crash into the prince! How dare you ask such questions! Control yourself, girl, or I'll let you have it!" This was Adwar, the oldest of the lionesses. Zira glared at her and rolled her eyes.

"Zira…" Adwar warned. "I'm just trying to help." Zira snapped, and she gently nudged Taka aside. She took Uru's shoulder on her own and helped the Queen to Pride Rock's cave. Taka stood very still. In a way, he was thankful that Zira had taken his mother for he was becoming weak. But, in another way, he regretted letting his mother be taken into her own home by a stranger.

Something was wrong at Pride Rock. Two incidents in one day- hours apart, no less- were extremely bad signs of foreboding. Something was to happen tonight. Something that would change them all… And with that thought, Taka fell over in a blackout of pain.

Zira settled Uru in a comfy place and position. "Will you need anything, my Queen?" she asked softly. She loved Uru only for Taka's sake, and had decided to serve her needs until she died a natural death. No matter how long it took. Uru shook her head, and then thought for a moment. "Look after Taka, Zira. You love him, I can see that. Will you swear to keep him safe?" "My Queen! Such an honor! Of course I will." Uru placed her head on her forearm. "And will you swear to keep Ahadi away from him?" Zira lowered her head and smiled. "With my life." She answered with a sneer.

Uru was too tired to sense that something was really, really wrong. "Stoddy," she called. "Bring Ahadi here. It's time we give him a trial."

Mufasa and Ahadi were slowly making their way across the plain. Ahadi's eye was giving him trouble, and Mufasa was limping a little. "Dad, I'm really disappointed in you." Mufasa said. Ahadi stopped and looked sideways at his son out of his good eye. "I rid us of a demonic soul. How is that disappointing?" Mufasa flattened his ears. "You blew it, Dad. You nearly killed Taka. And now Mom is really going to banish you." Ahadi whirled upon his son. "Now look here. Your mother will be happy that Taka is gone. He was nothing." Small splats of blood flecked Mufasa's face.

Pulling his head back and making his mane bristle, Mufasa became angry. "You let me down, Dad. You said yourself that Taka was your son and my brother and therefore must be treated with respect. And today you turned on that saying. And you turned on us." Mufasa took a deep breath. Then he narrowed his eyes, "You're no father of mine." Ahadi, shocked, stepped backward and gasped. A single tear rolled down his cheek from his good eye.

Zira nosed Taka. He whimpered weakly and stirred. "Come on, Taka. I'll take you to Rafiki…" Taka looked at Zira with tired, hurt eyes. He opened his mouth to speak. "Don't try, beloved. You'll just damage yourself further. Come with me," Zira cooed. "And we'll get you fixed up." Taka struggled to his feet and leaned heavily on Zira's side. He was amazed that a lioness as thin and small as she was could hold his weight. But then, he thought, I'm thin too. Perhaps she cannot feel me.

Zira was feeling butterflies in her stomach. He's touching my fur! He's touching my fur! She felt like she was invincible now, with Taka's royal fur touching her loner's fur.