A/N: I do not own "The Lion King" except for my for my character Lula and the poem I wrote down below. I put some of the "Book Thief" Death quotes and Phil Collin's song, "You will be in my Heart". By the way, I updated chapter 1 again so make sure you reread it just in case you didn't notice the update. Thanks for everything! :)

For some reason when I awoke, I remembered a poem I wrote back when I was younger.

Flashback

"Hey mom, look what I did at school today!" I wailed as I handed my mother the paper and heard her repeat:

Not everyone is happy,

That we all can see,

But what is life,

Without the misery?

Gloom spreads all around,

It never seems to cease,

And it's never created,

It's a part of our mind,

That takes all our feelings away;

Our smiles were our frowns

We all just silently look down,

Praying;

Oh just praying,

For everything to be taken away

And we might say,

Why is it me?

And, yet,

We never see,

What life really is?

A beautiful,

And tragic melody

My mother stopped reading and looked up at me. She was about to say something but stopped. She instead smiled sadly.

"Let's go water the plants outside, okay?"

"Okay mom!" I skipped over to our back porch and disappeared from view. The only thing being shown was my mother crushing the poem I had given her and the look of despair written across her entire face. It looked as though she knew something I did not.

Nightmare

I shook my head and stared out into the sky and lost myself in its crimson coloration. Instead of an amber sun, it was covered with charcoal. The clouds were not its usual pure, angelic white, but were ebony and bloodshot. I scanned my ambiance and got my eyes to focus on two indistinct shadows, despite having microscopic pieces of flakes affect my eyesight. I wanted to rub my eyes, though I feared of losing the shapes standing still on the darkened hills towering stories above me.

"Lula…."

"Lula…"

"Come over here sweetie…"

"Mom? Dad?"

"Can a person steal happiness? Or is just another internal, infernal human trick?"

I immediately recognized my parent's voices so I galloped to the top of the hill. I was getting closer and closer to the misty shapes when a thought came to mind.

"Aren't my parent's dead…?"

All of a sudden, memories flooded back to my mind. The images popped up like a film showing a movie. The monstrosity of my mother's chest being ripped open by those things, her head then rolled next to my feet, and her eyes that seemed to stare into my soul. I heard the demonic moans that escaped from her mouth; it had took all of my strength to try not to cry.

The next scene that sprang into my mind was my father's leg lounged on top of our "house", our tent, and one of his arms clawed off, the other completely vanished. As I tumbled to the ground and managed to crawl to his pulverized body, I spotted teeth marks that had broken his neck. His eyes were also wide open and his mouth seemed as if he was trying to yell something to someone right when he died. I couldn't help but try to imagine what he was going to say.

"Lula, never stop smiling."

"Honey, I love you."

"Life was good until the end, wasn't it darling?"

"Please, spare my-"

"Humans, if nothing else, have the good sense to die."

I never thought the day would come where I would be an orphan; I tried to envision my father cuddling with my mother for the last time. He must have been whispering sweet nothings into her ear, tried to calm her down, assured her that everything will turn out fine. He probably still tried his best even in death to entwine hands with my mother so their souls could not be separated.

"Not even death can tear them apart."

"…but where is Lula, love?"

"We will see her soon, do not fret."

I gawked back up into the eyes of my "parents". From what I could depict, my mother's arms stretched out to reach me as my father hunched over and waited for me to give him a giant bear hug. I greatly wanted to race over and join them, but something about their sudden appearances made me stiffen with suspicion. They are supposed to be dead. This could not be them.

"This is not my family…I am all by myself now."

Usually I had a difficult time protecting myself, but I was determined to live. I had not been through this journey for nothing. I had a purpose in life, I believed. I was meant to be somebody in this world.

"Get away from me, you creep!" "I am warning you!"

I felt for my knife that was concealed in my pocket, but soon noticed its absence.

"Fudge nuggets!" I yelled, evincing my father's words. In the back of my head, I remembered the words of a novel I used to enjoy when I was younger.

"You are not going to survive."

"Death waits for no man - and if he does, he doesn't usually wait for very long."

When I first opened my eyes, I first wondered if I was dead. The aches in my legs were gone. The irritation in my scalp had stopped hurting too. I tried to feel around for my backpack but the dimness from the cave restricted me from finding it. The only sense of light was coming from the mouth of the cave. If I hadn't been so comfortable, I would have been trying to look around at my surroundings. While I was reclined on the floor, my eyes began to close again. Believe it or not, but this is the most relaxed place I have been to since the death of…them.

"It's so warm in here" I mumbled out loud.

"Why thank you, strange one."

"Oh, your quite wel-"

Wait a second! Hold up, did somebody just say something? I turned my head around to see bright yellow eyes beaming back at me. Her red pupils seemed to smile at my apprehension. For a second, and I mean for a split second, she reminded me of my mother, but then I was back into being completely frightened. I was lying down on a lioness and she just spoke! I must of hit my head harder than I thought!

"No need to be afraid, child."

At the sound of the other voice, I again looked at its direction. Standing underneath the moonlight was an auburn mane lion. He looked well-built and checked me for any further injuries at a distance.

"Oh gee, not another lion." "Please don't e-eat me!"

My eyes grew wide, and I tried to back away to the other end of the cave wall, but I didn't get any far as the lioness grabbed the end of my shirt and tugged me back into place. She chuckled a bit and smiled at me.

"Don't push yourself! You just fainted a little while ago, you know."

I was not prepared for this moment at all. Are the lions really talking or did I just go mad? Could this day get any worse? First I had a nightmare and now I am actually living with one!

As if the male lion could of heard my thoughts, he walked over to me and nudged my shoulder. I stared into his eyes and saw sincerity and concern. Maybe they weren't bad after all?

He too smiled and went to lay down with I realized then to be his mate, the lioness who still had a tight grip on me.

"W-who are you?" I managed to ask.

"You don't know me? I am Mufasa, King of the Pride Lands." He replied in a charismatic tone.

"You mean lions really are the rulers of the jungle!?" I gasped a bit too quickly.

This means I really should have paid more attention to my science teachers back in middle school. I was about to ask them more inquires, but I realized that I have to pop the most important questions first.

"Why didn't you have me as a meal?"

"…and how did I get here?"

"…crepes am I supposed to call you your majesty? I am so sorry!"

"…your majesty!"

Mufasa and his mate both looked at each other and burst out laughing. Their relationship reminded me of my parent's interactions between each other.

"We were one big, happy family…"

"Until the monster's killed us all…"

"You are in Pride Rock right now. My mate, Sarabi, and I found you near the borders of our territory. When you collapsed, we carried you to our den." Mufasa then continued on,

"We called our shaman, Rafiki, and he took care of your wounds."

His words dazed me. They helped me! Lions actually tried to care for me. How sweet is that?

"Thank you for saving my life!" I cheered and flashed a smile back at them.

This might sound bizarre, but I like it here in Pride Rock. Sure, this isn't what I would call paradise or Hawaii; however, I am starting to get attached to Mufasa and Sarabi. It is not like I have anywhere else to go. At this point of my life, it doesn't matter if the lions devour me or not. I had nothing left to look foward too.

"It's like there is a strong bond between us."

"No matter how many times she was told that she was loved, there was no recognition that the proof was in the abandonment."

"Your majesty" I interrupted again.

"Why didn't you eat me? Are you vegetarians too?"

Mufasa was about to answer but then Sarabi spoke.

"Well, it was our decision ultimately, but our son took an interest in you."

Mufasa and Sarabi had a son? I am pretty sure I never met another lion before, let alone a cub! Wait a second, I think I had.

Flashback

"Is anybody there?" I managed to sputter. The bristling in the hedges stopped at the sound of my voice. Thinking everything was okay now, I exhaled and mocked myself.

"See Lu, there is nothing to be jittery about." I contemplated personally. Much to my dismay, a wee golden hairball put my branch that was cooking the fish to his lips and hastily tugged it to wherever he was going…

"Oh, you mean that little dude!"

"Did he like the fish?"

"I LOVED it!" a tiny voice responded right on cue. It sounded like he was waiting outside the den. I could not help but snicker. The little guy is like a baby cousin I never had.

I surveyed the two lions in front of me. For some reason, I felt as though we had met before. Staring into both of Mufasa's and Sarabi's eyes, I noticed that Mufasa had my father's playfulness, yet he was also an outspoken leader. Sarabi gave me the same looks as my mother did. She gave me a fuzzy feeling that only a mother could give to her child.

Mufasa spoke after, bringing me back to reality.

"What is your name?"

I knew Mufasa expected a quick response. He had the tone of a calm and also demanding leader.

When I heard his words, it just prompted back harsh recollections in that these lions sitting in front of me weren't my real parents. My mom and dad were up in heaven now.

"They could be in hell for all that mattered."

Sighing, I uttered, "My name is Lula" I began. "Lula Kaluwa Mkiwa".

"I know, my name sounds a little weird. My parents were obsessed with Swahili names."

"No, it's a beautiful name, but the meanings of them are so tragic." Sarabi then clarified the denotation behind them.

"Kaluwa, the forgotten one"

"Mkiwa, the orphaned child"

Mufasa swallowed, then repeated,

"Why are you here, Lula?" "These lands are obviously not your home."

Flashback

"AAAHH!" I heard both my parent's scream.

"M-mom...? D-dad...?

…I saw that one of them were dragging my mother's lower body across the plains. All of a sudden, I had the biggest need to vomit…

… fell to my knees at the sight of its gore. My father's limp body stuck out like a sore thumb- his bloody hands next to our canteens and his right leg were thrown above the tent. Shoes that belonged to both of my parents were scattered across the territory…

Tears began to cloud my eyes and I looked away from both of them. The last thing I wanted was for a King to see me cry. I took a deep breath then composed myself.

"My parent's and I were taking a trip here. A couple of days ago they died from a hyena attack…"

Mufasa's eyes became wide when I answered his question. He instantly sputtered something into Sarabi's ear, and even she seemed to be flabbergasted. She took a glance at me and nodded at him to tell me something important.

'I wonder what they are talking about.' I thought to myself.

Mufasa swallowed and paused before continuing. "Lula, was this hyena attack about two or three days ago?"

"Yeah why"?

"…because I was there" he confided.

Flashback

"They licked their lips and laughed maniacally; I held my breath as they drew closer until I saw that one of them were dragging my mother's lower body across the plains. All of a sudden, I had the biggest need to vomit. I started to move backwards but my foot hit something hard, perhaps a rock being unnoticed, and I the need to stifle my groans of pain as I lifted my head off the ground, the three hyenas were on top of me in an instant, and one of them pressed down unto my arms..."

"I looked into his eyes and noted a strip of white fur that looked like a mohawk from the twentieth century. Drool dripped from his mouth and his tongue poked out from amongst his revolting yellow teeth. I tried to stand up, but his paws held me back in protest to these actions. His other two buddies began to encircle me and then I was completely surrounded. In penchant, they fondled with their chapped lips again, but most of my attention was to the own holding me down. I failed at my endeavor to kick him off and only succeeded in injuring myself further..."

"Well look who we have here, a little girl..." the hyena snickered maliciously.

"Just one more meal for us to eat!" he growled and almost clawed at my chest, but a loud roar interrupted his actions. A figure plummeted from behind, and drove the hyena off of me.

"Go now!" roared the obscure silhouette.

I was stunned. No, I was completely astonished. This lion in front of me was the same hero that rescued me from the three hyenas. I had a lump in my throat and it became difficult to speak. How do I thank somebody for saving my life? Do I blurt out a simple thanks?

"Thank you!"

No! There was nothing to describe the amount of words to give one my earnestness cannot help him understand the emotions I am feeling right now.

"He would of regretted saving her later on..."

When I rememberes my past, a part of me wished Mufasa had not saved me, so I could have been with my parent's in heaven. Altthough, in spite of that, I was glad to be alive, but not for long.

"It amazes me what humans can do, even when streams are flowing down their faces and they stagger on, coughing and searching, and finding."

I made direct eye contact with Mufasa. At this point in time, I did not care if I cried in front of g-d if he was with me. What I did was flung myself at him, and wrapped my arms around his neck. I pressed my face into his fluffy, auburn mane. Noiselessly, I wept until I had no more tears left. I was glad he made no movements to get me off. Having him to cry onto, and to hold onto, was what I needed. I desired consolation and it was refreshing to let the negativity out of me.

I let go of Mufasa and nuzzled Sarabi. When she put her paw on top of my shoulder and cradled me securely in her arms, I was gracious at her compassion. She played with my blonde curls as she mouthed reassuring words to me.

"You are not alone anymore, Lula." "I have you."

Her words sealed my fate. I no longer had any motive to leave Pride Rock, but would they accept me as one of their own? Can a human girl really live amongst lions?

"No, they cannot..."

"And it would show me, once again, that one opportunity leads directly to another, just as risk leads to more risk, life to more life, and death to more death...we live in a cycle of torture".

When I smiled and let go of her, she and Mufasa had stood up. They both looked at each other and smirked, as if they were thinking of something important.

"Lula, Mufasa and I have to speak privately for a couple of minutes. Wait here for us, okay?"

I nodded and nervously responded with a quiet "…okay".

Sarabi and Mufasa were roaming back to exit the cave before Sarabi glimpsed back at me once last time with her uneasy eyes, and anxiously left the cave.

By this time, my eyes had finally adjusted to the almost complete darkness. I was leaning against one of the cave walls now that Sarabi had exited, and I soundlessly meditated in the corner. Due to the fact that it was around nighttime currently, I once again wished to feel the evening breeze and stare up into the stars like I used too. I wanted my eyesight to burn from the flames of the stars; I wanted to point out the constellations and follow the Northern Star to my path of destiny. If I listened carefully, I could hear the leaves on the branches of trees sing and dance as the winds whistled their lovely tunes. I pictured the trees not just in one color of green, but fertile in the colors of the rainbow all year around. Each evening star represented an angel's life up in nirvana.

Somewhere in paradise, a land far beyond the boundaries my eyesight could reach, I knew that my parents were protecting me from a place where no violence existed. I hoped I wasn't wrong.

"'Cause you'll be in my heart

Yes, you'll be in my heart

From this day on

Now and forever more"

Just then, Mufasa and Sarabi reentered the cave. Feeling as though I should stand up, I got onto my feet and bowed down to acknowledge Mufasa's presence as the King.

Mufasa smiled at me and so did Sarabi. They both came into the room with grace and dignity. It was hard to take my eyes off of their aura, as their ambience attracted me like a magnet. For a split second, I saw my parent's standing in back of them.

"Lula" Sarabi initiated, "where are you going to stay from now on?"

Sheepishly, I stated, "I was kind of hoping I could stay here at Pride Rock, if that is okay with your majesties?" I looked down at the ground during my response and felt kind of ashamed at the truth. The last thing I wanted was to be a bother to Mufasa and Sarabi. In my anxious state, I couldn't keep still. I twirled my feet and fingers, avoiding direct eye contact.

Sarabi stride over to me and pressed her forehead against mine. She rubbed one of her paws on my shoulder and brought me closer to her.

"It will be our honor for you to live with us."

"Promise"? I asked wearily.

Mufasa grinned then horsed around a bit, "Yes, you made delicious fish!"

For the first time in days, I laughed as hard as I could. I ran to Mufasa and pulled him close to Sarabi and me.

"Mom, dad, I will always love you."

"But this is my home now."

"Then let's get cooking!"