The Lion King III: The Chosen Ones

Cub Arc

Chapter Four: The Deadly River

He didn't remember when he and Jelani hit the river below them, how the impact of their fall almost drowned them instantly. He didn't even remember any of the terrified screams and roars as he was swiftly pulled away by the river's currents.

But Tanabi did remember waking up.

The first thing he saw was light brown water floating all around him, the shadows of the light above and the movement of the water made it almost too surreal for Tanabi to believe that he was still alive. He was flailing around frantically, forelegs and hind legs trying to grasp for anything above him; the way he was moving was too sluggish and slow almost as if time had stopped completely. As muted sound continued to pop in and out of his ears, Tanabi swore that it was like watching some other cub drowning. That it wasn't him.

Suddenly, reality came calling and a huge blast of sound hit him as his head finally popped up from the raging river. The brown cub exhaled so much in desperation to catch a sliver of air that he started to choke. He spluttered and coughed as the icy water invaded his nose and eyes, setting everything on fire.

"Help! Help!" Tanabi screamed in agony. His head hit the water again and popped back up, "Heeeeeeeelp!"

"TANABI! Help me!"

This blood curling cry struck a nerve and sent Tanabi into complete panic mode. Oh god, Jelani! he thought as he caught Jelani, a good distance in front of him, splashing around frantically in the water. The golden cub held a such a wild look in his gray eyes that Tanabi thought that Jelani couldn't even see anymore, the older cub was a lost cause and Tanabi knew it. His breath was held hostage in his throat as he saw the golden cub go under but luckily popped back up and started to cough crazily.

The sight of his stronger friend panicking was unnerving. If he didn't help Jelani, then they were both dead. He tried to push himself as hard as he could, he didn't want to die. He really didn't want to die here.

"I'm coming Jelani!" the prince shouted back over the current, struggling to keep up. The speed of the river hit his face at full force and blinded him. He let out a shocked roar when the water blinded him. Coughing spasmodically, heart thundering loudly in his ears, he screamed out for anyone, anybody, to help him. "Somebody! HEEEEELP! DAD! Heeeelp us!"

But the brown cub knew in his heart it was hopeless, no one was coming. They had went too far out and nobody could hear or even see them. Despair and fear, real fear, took control of his body as thoughts of his death, his parents and lastly Ayira's hurt face flashed throughout his mind.

OooO

Meanwhile, Ayira was laughing and playing with her new friend Kutu. She liked the younger cub a lot, she was quiet and respectful, so Ayira didn't have to worry about interrupting the adults who were still in the den. It was a nice break from those two trouble makers and Ayira had almost forgotten about them completely. If Tanabi had fallen into a deep ditch somewhere, she wouldn't care, no sir. He deserved everything horrible thing he was going to get.

"Tag, you're it again princess," the red furred Kutu said cheerfully, giggling.

Ayira giggled too, rolling her eyes. "Again? You're really good at this, Kutu."

Kutu blushed a little and tried to dismiss her, "Oh, no no no! I-I'm not at all, I'm really…really not good at this kind of stuff! My mommy plays it with me all the time, even back home."

"Really? Where did you come from anyways, it must have been far." the princess asked curiously, sitting on her haunches.

"T-The Air plateau. It's across the desert…I-I liked it a lot 'specially when I played with my cousins," Kutu stuttered shyly.

Ayira smiled at her, "Sounds really cool, wish I could see it. You're gonna like it here too, I know it. Everyone's really nice."

"I-I hope so. You're really nice and fun, princess so I think I'll like it better now."

The princess smiled brightly and her heart did a little jump of happiness. She thinks I'm fun! Nobody had ever said that to her ever.

Before she could repay the compliment or even think about thanking Kutu for playing with her; a huge lightning bolt split the sky. The two cubs gasped out as they watched from the safety of their den as the veins of light came to the earth followed by the loud exploding sounds of thunder not far behind. They could hear the rain getting heavier as well as it hit the roof of Pride Rock.

"W-Wow…that's…that's scary," Kutu squeaked out terrified, hiding her head underneath her paws.

"Yeah," Ayira murmured. She instantly thought of Tanabi and Jelani, out there all by themselves in the storm and it made her squirm. She tried to push it out of her mind. The two stupid heads would be fine and their parents would beat the stupid out of them when they got home. There was nothing to worry about.

Suddenly, Ayira felt a sharp pain shoot through her head. A very loud and familiar voice started calling for her and it echoed throughout her ears.

Somebody! HEEEEELP! DAD! Heeeelp us!

Tanabi…? What the…? Ayira thought to herself, terrified and very confused. She didn't understand why she heard him or why in the world he could possibly be calling out for help. The princess tried to ignore it and thought it was just her imagination.

"Princess…don't you have a brother out there?" her friend spoke up with a worried frown, still trembling. "I-I hope he's okay."

"Me too, Kutu," Ayira said aloud, still trying to figure how she heard Tanabi's voice. Another harsh wave of pain hit her head as Tanabi's panicking voice got louder and repeated itself.

HEEEEEEEELP!

This sent alarm bells off in her heart. There was no way Ayira was going to ignore his voice the second time around. Somewhere out in the storm, Tanabi was in big trouble and he was calling out for someone to save him. Worriedly, Ayira snapped her attention to her friend.

"Kutu, I'm really sorry but I have to find my grandma," she told her apologetically, shifting uneasily. "I'm really worried about my brother; I think he's gotten in trouble."

"Oh, okay," the red cub replied a little surprised but giving a smile," I-I'll see you later!"

Ayira smiled back, reluctant to leave her new friend, "See you."

It didn't take long for the princess to find her grandma as she was still in her same spot from earlier this morning, taking a nap next to Vitani. Ayira frantically shook the lioness, not caring if her grandma was going to get mad at her for it.

Nala woke up from her catnap, yawning lazily, "Whoa, where's the fire Ayira…?"

"It's Tanabi and Jelani! They ran away from Pride Rock!"

The white lioness sat up puzzled, her lack of sleep now gone, "What do you mean they ran away? You're telling me they're out there in that storm?"

"Whass goin' on, Nala?" Vitani slurred.

"Tanabi and Jelani left Pride Rock."

"What?" the former outlander exclaimed, frowning. "Why didn't you tell anyone about this earlier, Ayira? How long have they been gone?"

Nala shook her head anxiously, standing up. "It doesn't matter how long they've been gone, what matters is that we find them. Oh, I hope they didn't get hurt out there…"

"They're gonna be fine," Vitani reassured her. "We'll go together, that will help cover more ground." she turned to Ayira, "Ayira, I need you to stay here."

"But I want to come too!" Ayira announced.

"No, you're not." Vitani told her firmly, "Stay here and do what you're told. We can't risk you getting hurt out there."

"Please let me go with you aunt Vitani, I promise I won't get in your way," Ayira pleaded, her face set in determination. "Tanabi's my brother and if he's hurt, I don't know what I'd do. I just wanna help find him and see if he's okay."

Nala let out a soft laugh, "Looks like stubbornness runs in the family."

Vitani sighed and rolled her eyes, "Oh, alright. You can come, but stay behind me at all times."

"Thank you Aunt Vitani."

Nala, Vitani and Ayira ran out of the den and into the storm; the rain and wind attacking them in a barrage. It was chaotic but Ayira tried her hardest to stay by her aunt's side like she was told to do, only one thing was on her mind. Finding Tanabi and bring him home.

Don't worry Tanabi, we're on our way. Ayira thought anxiously as she ran. Just hold on!

~*OooO*~

It felt like it was forever since Tanabi and Jelani had been in the river and each passing moment was as terrifying as the last. They were trying so hard to fight for their lives but the fact that their efforts and struggles had done nothing so far was absolutely frustrating to Tanabi. Each minute that drew closer made Tanabi want to give up fighting and just let the stupid river drown them.

Eventually, the brown cub made a breakthrough and managed to push himself over to where Jelani was. A surge of relief washed over his body and gave him a false sense of renewed security. If the two of them were together, maybe they could survive after all.

"Jelani!" he cried out relieved, his head bobbing up and down in the water. "It's okay Jelani! I'm here!"

His friend swiftly proved to him that he was dead wrong in believing it was okay, Jelani's face was still contorted with pure horror. The tawny cub frantically swam towards him with his claws outstretched and dug his claws into Tanabi's head and body, clinging on to him with all of his strength.

"Jelani!" Tanabi yelped in pain and complete disbelief. His friend was actually trying to shove him back into the water! "JELANI! What are you…?"

The cub's terrified scream was cut off as he was dunked into the icy river. He could feel his friend's weight completely holding him down and he knew that Jelani had managed to wrestle his way onto his back. Tanabi struggled to get back up but it was no use, he wrestled and kicked out his limbs to try and throw Jelani off but he was stuck. Blackness started to consume his vision as he started to lose air.

Suddenly, a red hot feeling set off in his mind. He didn't want to die. He wasn't going to die. He wanted to fight Jelani. Tanabi started to wrestle with Jelani harder and eventually he shot his head up as high as he could to the surface, connecting solidly with Jelani's mussle. The tawny cub let out a cry of pain as Tanabi rose up again.

"Get off of me!" Tanabi roared as he gasped for breath. "Get off of me Jelani!"

He lashed out, shoving Jelani off of him. Jelani fought back in his panic crazed state, trying to grab a hold of Tanabi again but the prince only shoved harder with his claws. Eventually, Jelani grew tired of fighting Tanabi and he returned to incomprehensible screaming and splashing. Tanabi swam out of Jelani's reach, mind racing and eyes darting back and forth for anything to grab a hold off.

There's gotta be something! Tanabi thought as he looked around, grateful for the moment of clarity that his adrenaline gave him. If we only had a rock!

Finally, the answer to his prayers caught his eyes. A huge log was lodged between a boulder on Tanabi's side, rapidly approaching them. He stirred himself into a good enough position to catch the log with his claws and by some miracle; the young prince was able to catch the rough bark with his claws. Pulling himself up with all of his strength, Tanabi climbed on to the slippery surface of the log.

At first, he felt as if he was going to slip off again but he managed to regain his balance and jump onto the boulder. Hyperventilating and panting, Tanabi directed his attention back to Jelani, he wasn't going to let his friend die. "C'mon Jelani! Swim over here!"

"I can't!" Jelani screamed pathetically.

"Just try!!" the brown cub exploded at Jelani, his heart racing against his chest. He was exhausted and extremely worried. If Jelani couldn't get to the other side, there was no way that Tanabi could go back out and get him.

The tawny cub started to make an effort, swimming toward Tanabi. An extremely happy feeling jumped into Tanabi's heart as he saw Jelani getting closer and closer to him. He was going to make it.

"It's okay Jelani! It's okay! You can make it!" Tanabi cheered on soothingly, his voice teetering on desperate and breaking as Jelani got closer to the log.

Jelani did exactly what Tanabi did and miraculously able to catch his claws on the log. Once Jelani got his upper body on the log, Tanabi didn't hesitate to yanking him with all of his might up on to the boulder. Panting, the two got off of the boulder to the other side to dry land.

Tanabi collapsed on the muddy ground, his exhausted body finally collapsed on him and turned into jell-o. He closed his eyes and took in hard, long breaths of air. A tired chuckle came in between the gasps of air, they made it! They were alive! He didn't know why it was so funny, maybe all of the river water had made him a crazy nutjob and maybe he should be more worried about the fact that Jelani was throwing up loudly beside him but he didn't care! They were alive!

"Only you would find this funny…moron…" Jelani teased hoarsely, "How are you holding out…?"

"I'm fine, Jelani. How 'bout you?" Tanabi whispered, his throat hurt too much for anything more. He waited until Jelani finished coughing up more water to get another response.

"Never been better," Jelani rasped sarcastically, when he caught his breath again. "I never, ever, want to see water again."

Tanabi laughed, "Me neither. Man, I thought the river was bad, just wait til your mama sees us!"

Jelani grew very quiet for a moment and Tanabi frowned concerned, "What's up, Jelani? You hurtin' somewhere?"

The tawny cub lowered his ears and turned his head away, "Tanabi, I am so sorry. I-I tried to pull you down back there. I didn't mean to!"

"It's okay."

"But I could of killed you! And it would of been all my fault!"

Tanabi shook his head at Jelani, smiling, "Jelani, calm down buddy! I know you didn't mean any of it! We both were actin' crazy out there. You're still my best friend and that's all that matters."

Jelani returned his smile and the brown cub wanted so bad to give him a much needed hug right then. He wasn't going to hold it against Jelani, Tanabi knew that Jelani wouldn't have done that in any other situation so it didn't matter anymore. But that didn't mean Tanabi was going to forget the pictures of Jelani on top of him or anything that happened today.

Tanabi shook that thought out of his head. He didn't want to remember any of it. Boy; was he going to have nightmares tonight.

"Jelani, Tanabi!"

The two cubs lifted their heads to see Ayira running to their sides with Nala and Vitani. Tanabi, for once, was relived to know that his sister told on them. He struggled to sit up as Ayira walked up to him and threw her paws around him in a hug, squeezing the life out of him.

"Don't ever scare me like that again, Tanabi!" Ayira told him, "I was really scared for you!"

Tanabi grinned, croaking, "Yeah, I can tell sis an' I love you too, but can you stop choking me? I kinda need to breathe here."

"I'm so glad you're safe," Nala said, giving him an affectionate lick but was obviously still worried. "We've been looking everywhere for you two…What happened? You're soaked."

Tanabi dropped his smile instantly and pulled away from Ayira. Jelani spoke up for him quietly, "Well, you see…we-we were playing near the outlands and we kinda…fell in the river…"

"You did what?" Vitani asked in disbelief. The tan lioness then frowned angrily," We've told you time and time again not to go anywhere near the outlands! And now you know why! Just wait until your father finds out about this."

"It wasn't his fault!" Tanabi cried. He thought maybe if he was honest, his own punishment wouldn't be as bad as Jelani's. " I told him to come play with me outside!"

"Oh, trust me, I've already told your parents everything Tanabi," Nala replied back to him, sternly. "I think you need to worry more about yourself."

Aww heck, that didn't work like I thought it, would. Tanabi gulped. He could see the look on his dad's angry face already. His dad was not going to be a happy lion when he comes back from his rounds and seeing his son looking like a deranged fluff ball once he got dried off. There was only on way for him to escape the wrath of his daddy and it was worth a try.

Tanabi grinned sheepishly at his grandma, "Is it too late for me to jump back into the river?"

"Ha ha," Nala replied dryly. She nudged the soggy brown cub, "C'mon, let's get you out of this rain, you must be freezing."

He nodded and tried to stand, his limbs were wobbly and shaking from exhaustion. Tanabi let out a short yawn; all he wanted to do was sleep. Nala gently plucked the tired cub up from the ground by the nape of his neck with her jaws and placed him onto her back. Tanabi shifted some to get into a more comfortable position, burying his face into his grandmother's soft fur. The next thing he knew, he was out like a light.

~*OooO*~

When Tanabi woke up, he found that his whole body was numb and that his throat was on fire. He sat up and coughed harshly a few times, the nasty taste of icy water came back to his mouth and nose. Tanabi made a face, he better not be sick after all he just went through.

"See? I told you to stay home," Ayira teased lightly. "But no, you just had to go play in the storm."

Tanabi sniffled and scowled at her, "Hey, be nice to the sick cub here. Have a heart."

The orange cub pointed at her chest, "Hey, I already have one so don't be silly," she giggled as Tanabi cut his eyes at her lame attempt at a joke. "Really, Tanabi, I was worried about you. I thought something bad was going to happen, like you getting hit by lightning."

He shuddered, "Yeah, it was crazy…thanks for telling Grandma and Aunt Vitani. I'm sorry Ayira."

Ayira shrugged and gave a tiny smile, "It's okay. I guess I'm sorry too, I was being a little bossy."

"A little?"

"Yes, Tanabi. A little, that's what I said. Good boy."

Tanabi rolled his eyes playfully, "Whatever and just to think that I was about to say you ain't that bad of a sister. I must be sicker than I thought."

"Must be."

The twins giggled at each other. It felt good to Tanabi, knowing that they had made up...in a weird love hate kind of way. He stopped laughing, however, as he saw their parents run up to him with worry in their eyes. Play dead, dummy! Go back to sleep! Do something so you don't have to talk to them! was what the rational side of Tanabi screamed at him.

But instead he just sat there and mumbled under his breath, "Oh no..."

Kiara scooped Tanabi into her paws that instant she could, fussing quickly, "I was so worried about you! Lemme get a look at you, you look fine. Did you hurt yourself? You look a little feverish, are you feeling okay? Where did you get those scratches? Wait, you already had those scratches...why didn't we take care of those scratches before...ohhhh, I heard they can get infected..."

"I'm fine, mom..." Tanabi interrupted, jumping out of her paws. "Sheesh, I only almost drowned."

Kovu, who was beside her, nodded, " It's okay hon, take a deep breath. Tanabi's alright."

"I know, it's just...I was so afraid," the honey furred lioness replied in relief. She then frowned at her son, "Just what were you thinking, Tanabi? You and Jelani could have died out there!"

Tanabi flinched at his mom's sudden harsh tone, "I-I dunno...we didn't mean to fall in the river, mom."

"That's not the point, Tanabi," Kovu told him sternly, "You know better than to sneak off on your own and you directly disobeyed us, again. How many times do we have to tell you to listen to us before you actually listen?"

"Only once..." the brown cub responded in a very meek voice, lowering his ears in shame. He knew he was going to get it now, the look on his dad's face said it all.

His dad sighed, "Son, we don't tell you these things to be mean, we just don't want you to get hurt. Do you understand?" Tanabi nodded numbly and the brown lion's face softened considerebly and he drew Tanabi closer to him with his paw, "Tanabi: you and Ayira mean the world to your mother and I. If something happened to you...I don't know what I'd do...you both are so precious to me."

Tanabi looked up at his dad, eyes shining with unshed tears. He didn't think of it like that, what he was doing hurt his daddy as well.

"Your father's right, we love you and Ayira so much," Kiara told him, licking his cheek playfully, trying to make everything better. "We don't want to lose you. I know you don't mean to worry us and you're trying to have fun but everything you do has consequences. We just want you to remember that and listen to us."

"Okay, mom."

Kovu nuzzled his small cub, grinning, "That's all we want, little guy. It's not that hard. Now, to make sure that you don't wind up doing this again, we got a special punishment for you this time."

"I know...I know...I'm grounded again, ain't I?"

"Oh, you're grounded alright," Kiara told him with a hint of amusement in her voice. "But on top of that, we got you a cubsitter. I know you and Zazu will become such great friends next week."

Tanabi's jaw fell and he stared at his parents like they had sprouted three more heads. This was their idea of a punishment? Forcing him to spend a whole week trapped in the den with that snobby talkactive bird? No. That wasn't right, maybe he heard it all wrong.

"...What?" he asked dumbstruck.

"You're stuck with Zazu for a week, smartness," Ayira told him dryly.

The brown cub just sat there for a few awkward moments. This was not happening to him.