A/N: The *** represent a different character's point of view. Italics represent the character's unspoken thoughts.
"Simba... wake up..."
He stirred slightly and reluctantly opened his eyes. Sarabi was in front of him and he stood up so quickly Nala- who was behind Sarabi, gasped in amazement.
His leg throbbed in protest as Simba pressed it onto the ground but he did not care- he needed to know if his Mother was unharmed.
"Mum! Are you hurt? Is the Pride alright? What about Scar? Are Timon and Pumbaa back? Are-"
"Calm down, darling, I'm fine."
The sympathetic lioness nuzzled Simba and she explained, "I've guarded the entrance to the cave ever since you came here but Scar is nowhere to be found."
"He probably fled- coward," Nala hissed and then she looked up, realizing that the other members in the cave were related to Scar. "I mean-" she began apologetically.
"Don't worry, Nala, there is nothing to apologize for."
Simba was quiet while Sarabi and Nala exchanged conversation- would the Pride be alright in the cave next door and other things that he really wasn't paying attention to at this point in time.
Finally, he voiced what he had been thinking: "Mum, was there a tune that you used to- erm- sing to me when I was little?"
Sarabi looked surprised. "I don't think so...were you dreaming, Simba?"
"No," he replied, a little frustrated. "I- heard it before I...fainted." He cringed, knowing how ridiculous it sounded.
I know what I heard. But...weren't there voices too? Why can't I remember?!
"Simba, it was probably your imagination," his mother persisted, "The mind can play tricks on you."
It was real! I heard it!
He sighed with a touch of anger and then all three of them heard, what sounded like paws walking cautiously on rock.
Simba jerked his head in the direction of the noise; just behind the entrance of the cave. "Who's that?"
He stood up, making sure that no pressure was put on the injured leg and limped forwards slowly.
Nala blocked him. "No," she stated firmly. "You stay here and rest. I'll go."
"Nala-"
"I don't want you hurting that leg any more," she said kindly.
"Thank you, Nala," Sarabi said gratefully.
Simba was glad that Nala cared so much about him but it was so... annoying sitting here- in the way of everyone.
Shouldn't I be helping the Pride? I must look so...useless.
Nala left and Sarabi, almost as if she could read his thoughts, said, "Hurting your leg wasn't your fault, you know. All of us here are so thankful you returned- don't try and strain yourself. Rest now- work later."
There was a pause and Sarabi continued with: "Every second- you remind me more and more of Mufasa. He didn't like sitting around doing nothing while everyone was doing things for him. He felt like he was in the way constantly."
She smiled but Simba did not believe her.
Me? Like Dad? I'll never be as great as him.
***
Mufasa's stomach was in a tight knot.
It's like the first day of being King all over again.
He had reached the entrance of the cave but he still felt the urge to stay hidden.
Stop being so- nervous!
"Who's that?"
Simba. He's awake.
Mufasa wetted his lips and made the decision to walk back down Pride Rock and try again. He then turned and went to begin walking back up to the cave.
1. 2-
Nala was moving down the rock and there was no time to hide. She had already seen him, anyway.
She screamed quietly- obviously too frightened to raise her voice. "K-King M-Mu-"
"Nala."
Though it seemed hard to imagine that this was the little cub that had befriended his own. She had grown, tall and slender, and her voice seemed so mature. Certainly, Scar's reign had forced her to grow up quicker than most lionesses.
"Don't be frightened," he said as she stared at him, petrified.
Oh, well that's so reassuring. You're dead- of course if anyone saw you they'd be frightened!
"W-what," Nala seemed to have found her voice,"What...?!"
"I know this is a little bit strange but-" Mufasa tried.
"Strange?!" Nala erupted. "You're dead!" She stopped. "You are dead... aren't you?"
There was a note of hope in her question.
He shook his head sadly. "I wish I could say otherwise."
"I'm not going mad...?"
"No."
Nala paced up and down, still in disbelief when a thought appeared to have struck her. "Were you with Simba before he collapsed?"
He nodded. "Why?"
"Um." She giggled uncertainly. "You're going to hate me now but Simba told me that you were holding him. And I...didn't believe him."
"I'm not going to hate you," Mufasa said, walking to Nala. "It would be difficult to believe; I'm still having trouble coming to terms with it myself."
There was a pause as the two surveyed each other.
A tiny grin was starting to form on Nala's mouth. "Did you know," she said, "how much Simba looks like you? I never really noticed before..."
"Sorry about that," he replied and the young lioness laughed and replied, "It was meant as a compliment."
Mufasa couldn't help but smile knowingly as Nala's eyes glittered happily at the mere mention of his son's name. "You really love him, don't you?" the former King said warmly.
"W-well, I-" she stammered and that made Mufasa's smile widen. "Yes," she finally admitted, her cheeks glowing like the setting sun.
"Can you- make sure," he started. "Just...take care of him for me, please?"
Her expression softened. "Of course."
"He doesn't know how lucky he is- having someone as kind as you," Mufasa said truthfully.
Nala looked modest,"Thank you. Now, come here."
She lead him back up the path and the knot in Mufasa's stomach returned.
***
Simba gazed thoughtfully out of the cave entrance. The rain had lessened and was now pattering against the rock soothingly.
Nala appeared. "Sarabi, can you come here for a moment?"
"What's wrong?" his mother asked.
"Nothing...I need you, though," Nala said.
Sarabi tilted her head in confusion but did as she was told and walked towards Nala.
"Just stand outside the cave, er please," the younger lioness said and so Sarabi left.
Simba limped forward and made to follow but Nala stopped him.
"No! You can't go outside...not yet."
Simba laughed. "Nala- yes, I can."
"You don't understand."
This is getting silly.
"Nala, what's going on?"
She smiled slightly- as if guarding a secret. "You'll see," she said.
***
Mufasa was breathing sharply now when... she came out.
Sarabi was standing in front of him, her mouth wide in astonishment.
"It- it can't be," she said in protest.
"Please, Sarabi," he insisted kindly. "It is."
She circled him apprehensively, saying,"Every day I would imagine you with me. How can I be sure this time that it's truly- you?"
Mufasa thought- wishing nothing less than to tell her how much she meant to him. "You can be sure," he said slowly, "because the last thing I ever said to you before...you know was: Simba made a mistake last night-"
"I'm glad he didn't have to pay the price for it," Sarabi said joyfully, finishing the sentence for him. "Oh, Mufasa."
They embraced and Mufasa licked her lovingly.
"I never want to leave you again," he whispered in Sarabi's ear. "I've never really told you how much...how much you mean to me. I love you."
That was when he almost cried- almost and his living mate sensed it. She nuzzled him comfortingly.
"Darling...don't get upset. I love you, too."
"I never want to leave you again," Mufasa repeated.
"But you've got to," Sarabi said in understanding. "That's the-"
"Circle of Life," he said. "I know."
"Mufasa... you've been the most wonderful, mate I could have ever asked for. That will always stay in my mind."
"I love you."
She grinned. "You already said that. Now go...someone else will want to see you, too."
***
"Nala, stop playing riddles and just tell me!" Simba said angrily.
"Alright, alright," she backed down. "Wait here."
Nala walked outside and there was the sound of large paws padding closer- far too large to be a lioness.
This is a weird night.
Simba frowned and stepped towards the sound and a figure stepped inside and then- and then-
Simba was staring at his father's face.
Yes, we are ending on a cliffhanger! *evil laugh* Next chapter shall be created in the not so distant future...
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