Welcome to Chapter deux, dos, two, whatever you call it! Hope you guys enjoy it as much, if not then more, than the last one. Do not forget to review. Oh and I don't mind criticism. Just don't be too tough. Remember, Mufasa is watching you.
-X-
"Taka sounds like such a good cub. I don't understand what could've happened to make him Scar" said Kiara.
"I agree, it doesn't sound as if something can change someone that drastically" added Vitani.
"Why not? Look at Kovu, even though Zira filled his heart with hate for years, it vanished in the course of a short time" said Rafiki knowingly.
"We should just hear the rest of the story and find out" said Timon.
"Yeah, the suspense is killing me" added Pumbaa.
"I just have one question. How is it that you know all of this Rafiki? It doesn't sound as if you were there for most of it. Same for you Zazu" said Nala.
"Hondari told me to keep a close eye on Taka to make sure he doesn't become like Imani. As you can tell, I failed" said Rafiki sadly.
"And I just babysat from time to time" said Zazu.
"Well can you continue with this story, I want to hear what happened to Taka to make him Scar" said Simba.
"Of course…"
-X-
Taka and Mufasa were now adolescents and they were play fighting at the moment. After all this time, animals have come to accept Taka as one of their princes. But they still have difficulty speaking to him directly.
After a few minutes of rolling around, Mufasa had Taka pinned.
"Ha! I win again!" shouted Mufasa triumphantly.
"You just got lucky this time" laughed Taka as he got up.
"Sure…So hey, have you met that new lioness that joined the pride?"
"Zira? Yeah I met her, why?"
"I think she's got a crush on you"
"You're kidding"
"Nope"
"That's a bit of a scary thought"
"Why, she doesn't seem that bad. Granted she's not the prettiest but she's okay"
The two brothers walked up to the water hole and took a sip of water. Taka looked over his shoulder and saw Sarabi and Sarafina coming towards them.
"It's not that I don't like her or anything. It's just that I like someone else and you know that" said Taka.
Mufasa nodded in understanding and looked towards Sarabi and Sarafina. "Hey you guys! Want to join us?"
"We were planning on it. But then we decided to join the other two princes we know" said Sarabi sarcastically.
"Oh is either one of these princes as handsome as I am?" asked Mufasa.
Sarabi rolled her eyes. "Oh get over yourself"
"Aw, you two already look like you'll make good mates" said Sarafina playfully.
"Come on Sarafina. We only like each other as friends; it's our parents that decided we should be mates" pointed out Sarabi.
"Wait, what about you Taka. You're a prince, how come you aren't betrothed to someone?" asked Sarafina.
"It's because I wasn't the firstborn. Only the one to become king follows the betrothal tradition" said Taka, avoiding any eye contact with Sarafina.
"Hey, look me in the eye when you're talking to me" urged Sarafina.
"Forget it. It seems like he just gets more shy as he grows older" said Sarabi.
"He just doesn't know how to be outgoing like me" said Mufasa with pride.
"Outgoing huh, and here I thought you just needed to go to the bathroom really badly" said Sarabi.
Sarafina and Taka snickered as Mufasa glared at Sarabi. His glare disappeared as he noticed Sarabi laughing with her eyes closed. He grinned and crouched down. In one swift movement, he pounced on her. This caused the other three to stop their laughter. The two rolled around for a bit before they stopped. Sarabi ended up on top of him, pinning him down.
"Pinned ya!" said Sarabi with a smile.
"Well if it's by someone like you, then I don't mind" Mufasa chuckled.
Sarabi was caught off guard by his comment but then looked into his royal red eyes. She smiled softly at him.
"Hey, why don't we leave these love birds alone?" whispered Sarafina to Taka.
He nodded in response and followed her towards the Tree of Life. Once they were far enough, they continued to talk to each other.
"Did you see those two? First they were acting as if they were just friends but then we see them acting as if they were in love!" laughed Sarafina.
Taka chuckled along with her. "Yeah, now if only those two would just realize it themselves"
Sarafina nodded in agreement and then she got quiet. After a few seconds, she spoke again. "Sometimes I wonder who my mate might be. Do you ever wonder that?"
Taka nervously gulped as he tried to find the right words to say. "Well, no, but I do wonder sometimes if the lioness I like, likes me back"
Suddenly Sarafina got excited. "Ooh, who is it? Tama, Kumi, Zira maybe? Come on, tell me, I promise I won't tell anyone"
"Um…Actually, Sarafina I-"
"Sarafina! What are you doing here alone with him?" asked Hondari coming out from the Tree of Life.
"Daddy, he has a name! And he's also a prince, you need to treat him with more respect" argued Sarafina.
Hondari completely ignored her as he looked at Taka. In all honesty, Taka never liked Hondari all that much. For some reason, Taka just knew that this feeling was mutual.
"I'm sorry Mr. Hondari. I was just talking with your daughter, I wasn't going to do anything to her" said Taka.
"That is irrelevant. Come inside with me Sarafina" said Hondari sternly.
"No daddy! You're always being mean to Taka and I don't understand why" said Sarafina.
"Maybe because you can't sense what I do!" shouted Hondari with a scary glare.
Sarafina cowered before him. She gave an apologetic glance towards Taka and then followed her father into the Tree of Life.
Taka disappointedly walked back towards the field where he had left Mufasa and Sarabi. He looked out onto the field and noticed the two of frolicking through the field. They looked so incredibly happy together. They were nuzzling and purring softly.
Taka sighed sadly as he looked towards the Elephant Graveyard. The one place he went to whenever he felt alone. At least then he wouldn't feel unwanted. He took off towards the Elephant Graveyard at top speed.
Taka slowed down his pace once he made it to the comedically large elephant head. Strangely, he didn't hear the hyenas anywhere. They were usually around. He then heard the unmistakable cackle of Ed, the idiot of the hyena trio, although he was still a lot smarter than animals gave him credit for.
Taka ran around the giant skull to find a surprising scene. He saw an adolescent lioness talking to the hyena trio. It was obvious from her appearance that she was not from the pride.
"Zira?"
The lioness turned and when she saw Taka she smiled.
"Taka, what are you doing here?" asked Zira.
"I could be asking you the same question" said Taka a little nervously.
"Well when I was told to stay away from the Elephant Graveyard, my curiosity got the best of me and I couldn't help but come here. So I ended up meeting these guys"
"Oh, okay"
"Now answer my question. What are you doing here?"
"Uh, well, I come here whenever I'm alone. It helps clear my mind whenever I'm confused or hurt" admitted Taka.
Zira nodded in understanding. She glanced at the hyenas giving them a sign to leave them alone for a minute or two.
"So what happened?" asked Zira.
"Well, I, uh, sort of tried to tell the lioness I liked how I felt about her" said Taka nervously not noticing Zira's smile fade for just a moment. "But her dad came and he doesn't particularly like me. So now I think it's because of my relation to Imani"
"Yeah, I heard of that. But don't sweat it. Something like that should be nothing to you"
"What do you mean?"
"Well I kind of admire you because I think you're really strong. The reason why I think that is because you have such a good relationship to your brother even though he's going to rule and you're not. If I were you I'd be really jealous of him, maybe even hate him just for being the firstborn"
Taka almost felt like leaving but at the same time he felt oddly compelled to listen to her. "I would never feel that way about Mufasa. Besides, we made a promise to each other when we were cubs to rule together"
"Two kings ruling together at the same time? Isn't that a bit unheard of?" asked Zira a little dramatically.
"Well yeah, but it was a promise that we both vowed to keep" argued Taka.
Zira looked thoughtful for a moment but then she gave him a sympathetic look. She shook her head sadly. "Oh you poor thing… Sure it's a promise the two of you will keep now…But what happens when the time actually comes? What if it's absolutely not allowed? Or maybe Mufasa decides to keep all that power to himself? Or worse, he believes everything they say is true. About you…about Imani…and then all that happens is his betrayal"
Taka felt almost scared of the words Zira was saying. They were words he never even thought about.
"He would never…" started Taka but stopped realizing how unsure he was.
"How do you know that? Remember, those who knew Imani have a chance of turning their backs on you. But those who did not, like me, are here to stay. You shouldn't trust your pride members, only trust me" whispered Zira sinisterly as she slinked away.
Taka turned around but noticed that the smoke produced by the geysers made it look as if she had just vanished. He shuddered and turned back to come face to face with the hyenas.
"What is it?" asked Taka.
"She scares me a little" said Banzai as if that answered everything.
"What do you think she meant?" asked Shenzi.
"I'm not sure…All I know is that she might be right" whispered Taka fearfully.
Months Later…
Taka listened to Mufasa and Sarabi having some sort of flirting contest with each other. They were almost completely ignoring him but they said something to him from time to time. He just wished he could stop feeling like a third wheel around them.
"Taka, is something wrong?" asked Mufasa hearing his brother's exasperated sigh.
"…Hm? Oh, nothing, I was just a little bored that's all" said Taka with an insincere smile.
"Oh my goodness, we've been ignoring you haven't we?" asked Sarabi gently.
"No, no trust me I don't mind" said Taka quickly. Stop lying to yourself. You hate them for ignoring you. You hate how you haven't seen Sarafina in months. And you hate their betrayal.
Taka tried to shake those thoughts out of his head.
"Well if there's ever something wrong, you know you can come to us right?" asked Mufasa.
Now your own brother's lying to you too. "Yeah…I know…"
Just then, a familiar voice called out to them. The three of them turned to see Sarafina running towards them with an excited smile on her face.
"Hey Sarafina, you look happy" commented Sarabi once Sarafina got there.
"Yeah I am, I've got big news to tell you guys!" said Sarafina.
"Well don't keep us in suspense, come on and tell us" chuckled Mufasa.
"My dad introduced me to one of his friend's sons a few months ago from another pride. That's why I was gone. And we got to know each other and my dad said we were going to be mates!" said Sarafina excitedly.
Taka's eyes widened in surprise as did Sarabi's but with a different expression.
"Oh yay! That's great news 'Fina!" said Sarabi cheerfully.
Mufasa glanced over at Taka' darkened expression. But then Taka lifted his face up and put on a false smile.
"That's fantastic! I'm happy for you! That lion is one lucky guy" said Taka, as sincerely as he could. But you wish you could be that lucky guy don't you?
"Thanks" smiled Sarafina as Sarabi continued to congratulate her.
"I've got to go" said Taka still putting up his smiling front. He slowly walked away from them. Once his back was turned away from them, tears began to roll down his cheeks as he listened to their happy cheers and comments.
Mufasa watched his brother leave. Unlike the lionesses, he noticed the droplets of water that fell to the ground.
"What's up with Taka, it's unlike him to leave like that" commented Sarafina.
"Well, he's become more distant lately" said Sarabi. "Right, Mufasa?"
It took a second for the prince to answer. "Yeah…"
The Next Day…
"You shouldn't be coming here so often" said Rafiki softly as he sat down next to Taka.
"What does the all mighty Hondari have to say about me now?" asked Taka with an annoyed groan.
Rafiki shook his head sadly. This only reminded Taka of his talk with Zira.
"You must understand that neither master Hondari nor I are your enemies" said Rafiki.
"Yeah? You have a funny way of showing me that" said Taka.
"I know its hard now but I can promise you it gets better" tried Rafiki.
"Whatever…I'm going home" grumbled Taka as he began walking back towards Pride Rock.
"Running away from your problems only makes you a coward"
"I don't need any wisdom from an annoying monkey"
Rafiki sighed. "If you just listen to me you'd understand"
Taka laughed this time. It wasn't like his cheerful or shy ones, it was more sinister and evil. It sent shivers down Rafiki's spine. "My father listened to your master and I ended up with this name. Why should I listen to you?" spat Taka.
Taka turned around again but when Rafiki spoke again, it was a bad idea. "Taka!"
Taka turned and with a mighty roar slashed at one of the mandrill's legs. Rafiki's eyes widened in shock as he fell onto his good knee, he was losing blood and fast.
"Don't call me by that name. I'll find a more suitable one soon. As for right now, I'll drop you off near Hondari's tree. Be sure to tell him that he was right" growled Taka.
Rafiki was scared for once and yet he did not hate Taka for what he had done. It was in his nature not to hate him. Just like all those years ago.
The Next Day…
"There, that should do it" said Hondari as he finished wrapping the bandages on Rafiki's leg.
"I'm sorry master Hondari, I have failed you" said Rafiki sadly.
"No you didn't. Because of you I see now that I was right. Taka's heart is as impure as Imani's was" said Hondari in low growl.
"No, master, you don't understand" tried Rafiki.
"No, Rafiki, I know what has to happen. So just let it happen"
Hondari gave Rafiki this hard stare that didn't say 'Stay out of it' instead there seemed to be a sadness buried there. Rafiki was confused so all he could do was nod.
Hondari's expression softened. "Good…You are dismissed for now"
Rafiki stepped off the natural raise in the tree that served as a table but winced when he landed on his feet. His leg still hurt from Taka's cut. Hondari noticed and began to undo the strap attached to his abdomen with his teeth .The strap held a staff wielding a special assortment of fruits.
"Master Hondari, what are you doing?" asked Rafiki as his master gave him the staff.
"There is no need for you to call me master anymore. You have learned everything that I can teach you. You do remember the leonine prophecy that I taught you right?" asked Hondari
Rafiki nodded as he used the staff to keep himself upright. He began to recite the prophecy. "A lion of mighty strength will one day build a great kingdom in the lush lands to the east. He will rule justly and fight like a true hero. To govern him is his wise and brave nephew, the shaman of courage. The second ruler will be kind and fair. He will face trials that will determine his bravery and though he might fail he will learn from that mistake. The third king will be wise and the greatest of all the past rulers. He will be faced with questions that will plague his mind but will find comfort in the shaman of friendship. The fourth will have a most tragic past, but he will overcome it and take back what is rightfully his"
Hondari nodded in approval. "Good and the rest?"
"The next part is blank. The third shaman is the embodiment of love but it does not say which two kings he or she will govern" said Rafiki.
"But you know who the last four shamans that are spoken about in the prophecy, don't you?" asked Hondari.
"Yes, after the shaman of love come knowledge, sincerity, reliability, and kindness"
"Yes…I want you to look after king Mufasa and his heir. When the sun sets on my time, you will take over as the shaman of friendship. Do not forget to look for the shaman of love either. Remember, though I may be gone physically, I will always be watching over you"
"Yes…Hondari…"
"That is all my friend, you are dismissed"
Rafiki nodded as he slowly left the tree. Limping slightly as he held on to the staff for support.
"And soon I will be dismissed" whispered Hondari. Rafiki barely caught it, but he had heard it. It made him fear for the future of the Pridelands and for his former master.
-X-
Okay, so I realize that the main characters appear to be Taka/Scar right now, but trust me, that'll change. I just need to finish his past and we can get on with the main story. It might take one or two more chapters so bear with me. I'm doing the best I can. Don't forget to review!