Lion King 3: The Chosen Ones
Tanabi's Arc
Chapter Twenty Two: Prince Tsawa
Ayira and Kutu grinned at each other. Their search was finally over. After days and days of searching, they finally found the Aïr Pride. Ayira couldn't quite believe their luck and decided to question the imposing lioness glowering at her.
"You did say princess, right?"
"Yes." The crimson lioness retorted at a grinning Ayira before turning to Kutu," Princess Hikima you know better than to run off. It's dangerous here in the desert."
She thinks Kutu is their princess? Wow, that's scary, Ayira thought flatly. All this desert air must have gotten to her.
"I'm sorry, you have me mistaken for someone else I'm afraid," Kutu replied politely, giving the lioness an unassuming smile. "My name is Kutu. I'm looking for my uncle Jarumi."
"Oh, really?" she asked, skepticism evident in her voice. "I had no idea our king had a niece."
Kutu lowered her ears at this, Ayira sighed. Kutu was hopeless when it came to talking to other people. "Before you catch an attitude with someone, could you at least get your royal family members straightened out first? You seem a bit confused."
"What did you just say to me?" the lioness asked, dangerously narrowing her brown eyes.
"Hey, what's going on Kissa?" one of the lionesses called out from a safe distance. "They're not trying to fight you are they?"
"No, but one of them is claiming to be Jarumi's niece." Kissa replied back in a frustrated tone of voice, not taking her eyes off of Ayira. "I suggest you both leave before things get ugly. We don't take impostors lightly here."
"Trust me; we're not trying to trick you," Kutu said sincerely. "I really am from this pride! My mother's name was Waridi, she sent us here."
"Never heard of her," Kissa said rudely. "Now go."
"Then ask one of your friends over there. We have all the time in the world," Ayira remarked coolly; there was no way in hell she was going to let this lioness drive them away after they had gotten this far. The two lionesses then fell into a stare down. Whether Kissa was willing to actually fight Ayira was debatable, but Ayira knew better than to let some random lioness get the best of her. Ayira got down into a low stance, unsheathing her claws, a dark smirk coming to her muzzle. For all of Kissa's threats, her eyes sure did grow wide.
That's right bitch. I'm not playing with you.
Realizing her moment of weakness, Kissa snarled, snapping her head towards the other lionesses. "Tsawa, get over here!"
The one named Tsawa came to them with a clueless look on his face. He was a slender lion, a bit older than Ayira was with the same deep crimson colored pelt and markings as Kutu did. Tsawa had a short messy black mane and light brown eyes; if you asked Ayira he could have easily been Kutu's brother.
"Can I help you?" Tsawa questioned, glancing at the strange new lionesses.
"Just tell me if your father had a sister named Waridi or not," Kissa said, swinging her tail back and forth agitatedly. Tsawa cocked his head to the side in curiosity before smiling at Kutu.
"No way!" The lion cried out, backing up excitedly. "I can't believe I didn't see it! You look exactly like Aunt Waridi. Wait until Dad finds out about this."
"So does his word clear up those doubts of yours now? Or are we still going to be stubborn?" Ayira pressed on, noticing the snarl that was curling the lioness' upper lip. Kutu, who was much faster on the uptake than her companion, cleared her throat.
"Prince Tsawa…" the young lioness started, slightly bowing with uncertainty, "if it isn't much to ask…may we accompany you back your home? There is something my friend must say to your father, and it is of grave importance."
"Of course you can come with, this is your home too," Tsawa replied lightly, giving Kutu a charming smile. He put his foreleg around her shoulders, making Kutu stiffen in surprise. "There's no need to bow to me, after all we are family. "
"But Tsawa, you can't be serious! You have no idea who this other lioness is!" Kissa protested, glaring at Ayira as she put the emphasis on the word. The prince shook his head amusedly.
" You worry too much Kissa. If she tries anything, there is more than enough of us to kill her." Tsawa noted in a polite tone of voice, studying Ayira for a few seconds before giving her an approving smile. "Though…someone as strong as she looks, we might have a problem on our paws. But I see no reason not to trust her so far."
Ayira frowned at him; there was something in his attitude that seemed a bit contrived, but she shook it off as nothing. He was only warning her and seemed nice enough…who was she to judge so quickly? Tsawa continued to smile respectfully at the orange lioness even though she was giving him an evil look. Well…here goes nothing…
" Thank you for giving us a chance your highness. I owe you one," Ayira said in a grateful tone of voice, bowing down to him and lowering her gaze.
"Please stand and think nothing of it," Tsawa motioned for Ayira to get up, which she did. He grinned slightly. "Who would have known we would have found a princess and a beautiful lioness in our small desert? I didn't."
"Let's just go already. I don't want to stand in the sun any longer," their disgruntled companion interrupted, cutting Tsawa off. She motioned to the three other lionesses. "Okay everyone. We're leaving!" She then brushed hard against Ayira's shoulder as she walked by the princess in the opposite direction. Ayira snorted in response.
"Charming," Ayira noted dryly, watching Kissa with a look akin to distaste.
"I would watch it if I were you, my princess. She doesn't seem to like you," Kutu remarked worriedly. "Maybe you should lay low for a while…?"
"Feh. I don't know why I should. She started it," the orange lioness retorted, smiling slightly and knowing that she sounded like a little cub just then.
"That's Kissa for you. Sometimes I swear she has something stuck up her…eheh, you ladies don't need to hear that," Tsawa said smiling apologetically. The princess, however, shook her head amusedly.
"What? That she has something lodged up her ass?" Ayira asked, her green eyes dancing wickedly. "Oh, don't worry I totally agree with you there."
"My princess!" Kutu cried out in horror. "You shouldn't say such things! What would your father say if he heard you?"
"…He'd probably agree with me."
"That's beside the point, Ayira!"
The prince started laughing softly. "Don't worry cousin. Even I admit my mate is overbearing at times. But I guess that's why I love her so much."
"Heh, then you have my pity," Ayira said, shaking her head as they walked on. "So, as a prince, you couldn't have picked some one, you know more attractive?"
"Looks aren't everything my princess," Kutu replied pleasantly back. "Not everyone has to look a certain way by your standards."
"Can I ask where you come from Ayira? Because I have to say, you have the prettiest green eyes I have ever seen in my life," Tsawa said, grinning.
Yeah, they're probably the only pair of green eyes you've ever seen, buddy! she thought sardonically before saying, "I come from the Pridelands, if it's really that important to you."
"The Pridelands, huh?" He asked, looking up and down at Ayira with an appraising eye.
"Can I help you with something?" Ayira asked bluntly. "'Cause last time I checked, we usually talk to others with words, not through a staring contest."
"Cousin, would you mind going a bit ahead of us? I want to have a little private talk with your friend," the prince asked politely, pointedly ignoring Ayira's comment.
"You can say whatever you want in front of Kutu, I'm sure she wouldn't mind."
"It's okay, my princess," the red lioness reassured her, her eyes dancing mischievously. "It's just a little talk." She walked away before Ayira had a chance to argue back.
Mentally cursing Kutu, Ayira turned back to Tsawa and glowered at him with suspicion. "Well, you have my attention now. Make this short."
"I just wanted to know if you wanted to be my mate," the lion replied smoothly.
Is he for real? Ayira thought raising an eyebrow at him quizzically. He then came beside Ayira and tried to take in her scent. Confused and a bit revolted, the lioness made no sudden move to get away, not knowing if he would try something else. Tsawa laughed softly.
"Yes, you'lldo nicely," Tsawa murmured, more to himself than to Ayira, his eyes tracing along the scars on her neck. He then looked up the princess and beamed. "Okay. That's all I wanted to say. Shall we keep going?"
Ayira opened her mouth and then closed it, having no words to say to the bizarre lion. He then shook his head and laughed. "C'mon, let's go. Your friend is waiting for you."
Not needing an invitation, she glared at him before quickly running to Kutu's side.
Tsawa shook his head amusedly as he watched her. That's right, Ayira. I think you will understand soon enough.
Not long after that, the group made its way to a guelta, where a small shallow pond of water split the desert land in two. Rocks of every shape and size were scattered across the land and lined the edges of the pond. There were several lionesses lying around lazily talking to each other or sleeping, while the young cubs chased each other or wrestled in the pond. Ayira gaped in surprise as she and Kutu came closer.
"Is this actually real or am I imagining it?" the red lioness asked in awe, taking in the scenery.
"I dunno, if you're not then we're both out of our minds," Ayira said blinking; double checking to see if it was only a mirage. She had no idea that much water could be found in the desert. Tsawa chuckled beside them.
"Welcome to the Aïr Pride, ladies. You can close your mouths now," the prince replied jokingly, grinning when they shot him dirty looks. "Don't go anywhere; I'll be right back."
"As if we'd want you to come back," Ayira said offhandedly, watching the lion and his mate walk to the other lionesses. There were a couple curious glances here and there at the princess' direction, but then Tsawa said something that made them laugh before walking off. Ayira dully wondered if he was flirting with them as well.
"Prince Tsawa is pretty nice, huh Ayira?" Kutu asked smiling brightly up at the orange lioness.
"Meh, there's nothing special about him," Ayira remarked with a yawn, stretching out her tired limbs. "Niceness seems to run in your family."
"I guess so, my princess," her friend said with a giggle, her hazel eyes dancing. "I was under the impression that you liked him."
"Craziness seems to run in the family too."
The lioness shoved Ayira playfully with her paw and shook her head. "Stop it. You know something, that attitude of yours will leave you a very lonely lioness someday."
"Well at least it will keep me away from Prince Tsawa!" Ayira quipped teasingly before leaning down to take a drink of water. The princess slowly lapped up the cool liquid, relishing the metallic taste. Her eyes then traveled levelly across the pond and stopped at the sight of Tsawa and some other huge lion heading their way. Ayira abruptly sat up and licked the rest of the water off of her muzzle. This was going to be interesting.
The lion that Tsawa had brought with him could easily be described as one of the largest lions Ayira had ever seen in her whole life. He was slightly bigger than what she could remember her grandfather being, this reddish brown lion was nothing more than pure muscle. He had a huge, thick black colored mane and the same sharp brown eyes Kissa possessed, but these eyes held a sense of being in command that the lioness lacked. Ayira resisted the urge to gulp. If he wasn't the king, she hated to see who was.
"Hello, my name is Jarumi. It is a pleasure to meet the both of you," the huge monster of a lion said, his voice deep and powerful. It took Ayira a good while to register that he was talking to her.
Kutu bowed first. "It is an honor to be in your presence, your majesty. I am Kutu and this is my companion, Ayira," the red lioness replied in her most humble voice. Catching the visual cue, the princess of the Pridelands quickly followed suit and bowed.
"Please, please stand! We're all friends here, there's no need to do that," Jarumi replied laughing. "I am so happy that you have finally returned to us, Kutu."
Kutu sat up and cocked her head to the side in question before the king wrapped his forearms around her in a huge bear hug making the lioness squeak out in surprise. He laughed deeply again and nuzzled her.
"I never thought I would see you or my sister again, and to see you all grown up makes my heart swell with joy," Jarumi said warmly, letting the timid lioness go. He then smiled widely. "My, my you look as beautiful as your mother." When Kutu blushed and said nothing, he then turned to Ayira and bowed. "Thank you so much for allowing my sister to live in your pride, I am in your debt."
The young princess's eyes grew wide at the king's humility and she quickly protested, "You don't need to thank me your highness, my parents' were the ones who allowed Waridi into the kingdom, not me. You really don't have to thank me."
Jarumi got up and smiled warmly, "Even so, I can tell you have been kind to my niece as well. My son said that you, Princess Ayira of the Pridelands, have something to ask of me. Whatever it is, I will try my best to help you."
If only it was that easy…Ayira thought to herself, inwardly sighing. She locked eyes with the King, her whole visage turning serious. There was no turning back now. "Well…you see your highness, as you've said before I've came from the Pridelands, though that not exactly a good thing. We have recently fallen on hard times, to the point where a war has broken out."
"A war?" Jarumi echoed softly, a troubled look coming to his face. "How long has this been going on?" Tsawa also looked disturbed by this news.
"I have no idea…Kutu and I left to find help," she replied, lowering her ears. "Waridi told us to find you, saying maybe you had an idea on how to stop all of this."
The reddish brown lion fell silent for a moment, getting a distant look on his face and then he started to frown deeper. "I wish I could help you Ayira…but I'm sorry. I have no idea what is going on out there and sending any one of the members of my pride would be senseless. There is no need to bring us into your conflict. I am truly sorry."
Ayira felt her heart literally plummet to her stomach and for some reason she felt the overwhelming reaction to be sick. All she could do was stare silently in shock at Jarumi, Kutu however continued on.
"Uncle, you have to understand! A whole kingdom could fall!" Kutu cried out, her voice high with emotion. She turned her head away, blinking away any tears she had. "I don't expect you to care…but this is everything me and Mom have. You said it yourself; we owe everything to Ayira and her parents. I'm begging you, please!"
Jarumi simply shook his head. "There's nothing I can do. Maybe things can work out for the best and maybe the two sides can work things out. Your pride can't be that weak, they just have to work together."
Despite her bitter words to Kutu earlier about not wanting to be queen and hating her home, Ayira truly didn't mean it. The bitter word were nothing but empty and now, fear. True fear started settling into her mind; Jarumi was their last hope. The princess could feel herself trembling with anger and for the first time, everything she had kept bottled up was starting to explode out of her. Fixing her eyes on the King, she decided there was no better target.
"Work together? That's so damn naïve of you to say!" Ayira spat angrily. "We're fighting desperately, they're all fighting desperately back home! What the hell can we protect if feelings are the only weapon we have? And you say that you can do nothing, that's such a lie!" She laughed sarcastically. "You think we haven't tried talking this out?"
"Princess Ayira…" Tsawa warned softly, moving closer to her. Ayira shook her head.
"No, Tsawa! Your father needs to hear this!" Ayira snapped, half growling at the prince. "You're such a damn coward! Hiding behind the safety of your little peaceful kingdom! How can you even—" Before she could even continue her sentence, Ayira saw the sorrowful eyes of the king and it was like something died inside of her. Ayira had seen those same eyes on her father, Jarumi looked almost as heartbroken as Ayira felt. No, he wasn't being cruel…he was just doing what was best for his kingdom just like Ayira was doing for hers. Her eyes quickly softened and she turned away ashamed.
"I am so sorry...I don't know what came over me, your highness," the orange lioness said softly, closing her eyes in pain. Kutu walked over to Ayira and nuzzled her in comfort.
"It's okay…I understand," the king replied neutrally, almost kindly. "Listen, take as long as you want here. Even though I can't help you, I will at least give you the best hospitality I can."
"Thank you," Ayira said in a flat, unemotional tone as she bowed. She then turned to Kutu. "Stay here and get to know your family members for a bit okay? I'm sure they'd wanna hear everything about you."
"What about you Ayira?" Kutu asked worriedly.
"Oh, I'm fine! I really am!" Ayira replied, feigning a smile and failing miserably. She backed away and turned around. "Just don't follow me okay? I just need a few minutes to myself…"
The red lioness opened her mouth to disagree, but there was something in Ayira's tone of voice that told her to not push her luck. She then lowered her ears and sighed sadly. "Just come back to me. That's all I ask."
Ayira did not hear a word Kutu said.
By the time the orange lioness had finally stopped running, the sun was already starting to set. Before she had almost collapsed in exhaustion, she had made it to one of the higher parts of the desert among the rocky formations of a plateau. There was not more for Ayira to do but to lie there, dangling her forepaws precariously off of the edge and to look out into the distance. More than a thousand thoughts were running around in her head but yet, she was too detached to actually care at the moment. One of the most foremost thoughts was how stupid and naïve she was to think that Jarumi would actually help them out. Nobody wanted to fight in a war that had nothing to do with them and Jarumi owed them nothing in return.
Besides, it's your fault isn't it? a voice whispered in her mind. Ayira made no objections to that, she just couldn't anymore. It really was her fault everything had happened and the only hope that she desperately clung to was cruelly taken away from her. She failed, plain and simple. She felt an inexplicable reason to laugh and cry at the same time, but yet no tears would come.
Ayira then looked down; the height from where she lied there was dizzying to say the least. It was a sharp drop and despite the sand at the bottom, there was no way you could survive if you actually fell or at least that was what Ayira thought. A nasty dark thought came to her, telling her to just jump but Ayira shook it off…That wouldn't solve anything except for saying that she gave up. But feeling how she felt now wasn't exactly deterring these thoughts. Nowadays, there wasn't much to help with the dark thoughts that Ayira had started getting.
Sometimes, the princess thought that her brother had made a good decision of running off. She could hardly blame him; there wasn't anything to be happy about back at home. Now that she was there within the outskirts of the Air pride, the idea of never going back to the Pridelands sounded like a good catch. She distantly wondered if that was what Kutu was planning to do.
The soft sound of paws padding up behind her, made Ayira's ears swivel slightly.
"You don't listen very well, do you your highness?"
Tsawa laughed as he came to her. "How did you know I was here?"
"I could smell your stench," the lioness remarked darkly, not turning to face him. Ignoring her, Tsawa sat on his haunches beside the depressed princess.
"You look like you need some company, and it isn't very polite of me to just leave a female in pain," Tsawa said brightly, not making eye contact with Ayira. "The sunset is really beautiful isn't it?"
"Pretend that I care," Ayira muttered, making the prince frown.
"Now that wasn't very-"
"What do you want?" Ayira snarled angrily at him, her nerves getting the better of her. "I just want to be left alone!"
The lion backed up, a bit taken aback from her outburst. "I wanted to apologize for my father…"
"Well damn, I heard him the first time. It's not like I need a reminder!" Ayira replied harshly, shaking her head in frustration. She didn't need this right now. If he didn't move away from her soon, Ayira feared she would lose her control.
…That's not the only thing I had to say, princess. You ask me what I wanted and yet you don't listen to what I'm about to say. A conversation works two ways you know," Tsawa retorted, not missing a beat, his friendly façade wearing thin. "You can act like a spoiled cub all you want to my father, but you are going to listen to me."
Ayira turned her head stubbornly away from him, keeping her mouth shut in a firm line as if she grudgingly agreed with him. Tsawa shook his head at her and started again.
"I could have told you earlier that my father wouldn't have listened to you...he's too soft and lacks ambition for a king. Though, I'm different, I actually think there is something to be gained from helping your kingdom out. Your words have proven to me that you truly care about your pride and it was quite inspiring to listen to you, Ayira."
"Get to your point." The burnt orange lioness said flatly, flicking her tail in an aggravated manner.
"Despite what my father said to you earlier, I am more than happy to help you out. I may not be king yet, but I will be king very soon, it won't matter what he says."
Skeptical but secretly curious, Ayira turned to look up at the prince beside her. "You mean you'll…help?"
Tsawa smiled kindly at her and for a moment, Ayira could feel hope swelling inside of her. "Yes. I promise, once I become king this week, we shall help you out…if that's what you want."
"Of course it is!" Ayira cried out, getting to her paws slowly in excitement, she couldn't believe her ears. She then faltered and eyed Tsawa critically. "Wait. There's more to this that you're not telling me."
"What do you mean?" The prince asked innocently as he possibly could, pulling a blank look. A frown came to Ayira's muzzle, she knew that look too well, it was the same one Tanabi would do when he lied.
"You really want to play me for a fool, don't you?" Ayira scoffed. "We both know it's not that simple. So go ahead and tell me."
Tsawa chuckled deeply, giving Ayira an appraising look. "I guess I should have known better than to mince words with you. But, I'm sorry to tell you it is as simple as that…Well, there is something I want in return, but it's a simple thing really."
The lioness cocked her eyebrow at him, not impressed. "Just say it."
To Ayira's surprise and confusion, he leaned towards her ear and whispered some words to her. The inaudible words had a huge impact on Ayira and she quickly pushed away from him in shock, gaping at him in disbelief.
"No way, I am not doing that!" she cried out incredulously, her eyes widening. "Why would you even ask me?"
The red lion smirked, lying down beside her in amusement. "You act like it's the end of the world, I said it's simple. Besides, with a beautiful lioness like yourself, it's only natural this would happen."
Ayira shook her head. "I can't do that! Tsawa, you have a mate! How do you think that will affect Kissa or your marriage? I can't believe you would—"
"Calm down. When we leave for the Pridelands, it's not like I will see her again, not for a long time," Tsawa added callously, giving Ayira a wry smirk. "Even if she found out, nobody questions a king's dealings with other lionesses. Hell, if this works out for us, the might even be more of a bonus for both of our kingdoms…if you get what I'm saying."
"You're disgusting," Ayira cut across, spitting. She then narrowed her green eyes. "How Kissa can even be with you is beyond my understanding! I knew there was something wrong with you…"
"Are you going to take my deal or not, Ayira? You can throw accusations at me all you want, but you know as well as I do, it's a small price to pay for my help." Tsawa replied simply, inching closer to Ayira and slowly taking in her scent near her neck. Stunned but still disgusted, Ayira shoved his face away with her paw and snarled.
"I hardly call that small." The princess snapped, her features turning fierce. "Now, try that again and I'll scratch your damn eyes out." Tsawa started to laugh at this, striking him as funny.
"Heh, you know what they say Ayira. Some things you lose and some things you just give away."
"Can you stop being so damn moronic for five seconds? I willnever, ever lower myself for you! There are other ways for me to repay you and for me to show you my gratitude, but this will never be one of them!" Ayira shouted at him, shaking with anger, her fur going on edge. Tsawa snarled right back at her, his light brown eyes flashing in frustration.
"I'm only asking you for this one favor and it's a simple one. It's not like I'm asking you to kill my father…Honestly I'm giving you a chance to save your kingdom, yet you are too proud to see it! You should be thanking me for my kindness!" the prince spat back at Ayira. That did it. Ayira got right into Tsawa's face and roared at him.
"Your kindness? "
"Yes, I'm willing to sacrifice my pride for you! Innocent members of my pride, who have nothing to do with your war!" Tsawa snapped his voice dangerously soft. "So go on, go home and watch your pride die off one by one! Could you live with that?"
A tense silence fell in between the two monarchs, whose faces were literally an inch apart from each other. Both of them were breathing heavily from the yelling, yet the fight in their eyes still lingered. It almost seemed as if time had stood still for the moment, neither Ayira nor Tsawa willing to back down. Eventually Tsawa turned his head away from her and sighed.
"I'm not trying to pick a fight with you, Ayira…there's no strings attached to this deal other than what I told you. My intentions are completely pure, and I promise that I will keep my word. But it is truly up to you to decide on what you want. I can't force you," Tsawa said slowly. There was no jocularity in his voice, like the other times. He turned to leave. "You know where to find me."
Ayira bit her lower lip and turned away, still reeling from all of it. This was the best chance to put an end to the war and to return home…when Jarumi told her he couldn't help, she didn't know what to do next and now she still didn't. Could she really trust Tsawa? Her rational side screamed at her to stop being so stupid but deep down inside, she knew there was nothing but to trust him. A bitter smile came to her muzzle, it wasn't like there was much more to lose.
I'm running out of options…It's not like I know Kissa well enough to feel bad about this. The princess shook her head stubbornly; no one's feelings counted right now. It was down to only her and everyone back home was counting on her. She couldn't let them down.
"Tsawa!" Ayira found herself calling after him abruptly, making him stop and eye her with curiosity. "You're right…Let's just get this over with."
Heh, I hope Ayira knows what she's doing. Sorry about the lack of updates lately, I've been a bit busy but now I'm back ^^. I think from now on I'll be splitting the chapters with two chapters of Tanabi and then two chapters with Ayira each time so they'll tie more smoothly together. Anyway, a thanks to everyone who reviewed and a personal thanks to Prince of Pride and morfowt for their interest in this story, thanks guys ^^. And as usual, please review!
Names:
Kissa: Trickery
Hikima: Wisdom
Tsawa: Thunderclap
Jarumi: Courageous