Ever since Ayo had left balance had restored to the function of the Pride. Everyone was working well together, and everyone was happy. Everyone with the exception of Dalia. She had fallen for Ayo, she had loved him, and to find out that her love had been horribly misplaced crushed her. If lions could love other lions, and lie about it, how could she trust anyone? Her mother tried to explain to her that the act of same sex love was very rare in the lion world, Dalia didn't listen. She knew the possibility of meeting yet another homosexual lion was very unlikely, but the broken heart inside of her made it difficult to even try to search out the comfort of another male. Not that there were any around anyways. If she wanted love she would have to leave the pride. There were far too many lions in the pride and it would be very unlikely that Kovu would allow it. There needed to be a balance, regardless of sexuality of the two proceeding males.
Not only was Dalia heart broken and unsatisfied with life, she held some resentment towards Amadi. Not that it was his fault, and deep down she knew that. But the irrationality of her emotions told her that Amadi took this love away from her and sent it away. Amadi ruined Ayo, and so ruined her love for him.
Kiara didn't know what more she could tell her daughter to try to make her happy. She wanted to see Dalia happy but knew that healing of the heart took time and patience. Kovu was agitated by it all. The Pride was finally balanced, finally complete and together, and he knew that Ayo leaving was right for their future, and yet, it was frustrating that not even this once could things go right. The Pride may he happy, but Dalia was angry with Amadi. Why couldn't things be happy and perfect for a change?
Amadi often tried to get closer to Dalia, but their conversations were often short winded and lacking in sincerity. Taj and Dumaka both told him that he should just give her space and she would come around. But Amadi couldn't help but sympathize with his sister. He too knew what it was like to feel alone and rejected, and he would never wish that upon anyone.
"I just wish I could do something about it…" Amadi said to Taj as they sat on the ledge that was famously known for the leisurely place of Scar. Not that Amadi or Taj knew that of course, it was just their favorite place to get away from everyone and have some personal time. "Like if I could find her a rogue. Like I found you!"
Taj shrugged slightly and sighed. "You can't just find someone for someone. Dalia has to find a lion for herself." He said softly.
"Yea…But that would mean that she has to leave…" He said softly, letting out a long sigh. "How else would she find someone? There wont be any new males in the pride, and that's how the other lionesses that aren't the queen, makes cubs."
"Well, that's just the way things are, I suppose. I'm not entirely sure, I suppose. I mean, I haven't really been a pride until now." He said with a slight sigh. "maybe when Dumaka goes back home she'll go with him. I think he said that there was at least one other male in that pride."
Amadi sighed and nodded. "I suppose. It's just that Dalia and I use to be so close. And after everything that's happened with Ayo, and what has being going on in our lives I just want to be her friend again. If she leaves with Dumaka I'll be left without my siblings. Without my family. Without my friends."
Taj licked him softly on one of his ears. "Come now, you have your family, your mother and father are still here. And I'll be here too. I know it might not be the same, but Dalia will have to take whatever path is right for her to be happy. And you have to be ready to accept and approve of that."
Amadi nodded and leaned himself against Taj's mane, nuzzling into its warmth. "I suppose so…" He said softly, rolling onto his stomach, looking up at Taj. "There is another thing we need to talk about, Taj… It's something Ayo mentioned to me before the fight. Something that I've realized to be true."
Taj's eyes glistened with a sense of frustration when Amadi mentioned Ayo, but he had to control his feelings and let the past be the past. "And what is that?"
"How am I going to continue the circle of life?" He asked with hesitant eyes. "I mean… You and I can't have cubs… I understand that. But we need an heir. I need to continue the circle of life. I need to somehow continue my families genes."
"Couldn't we just let one of the cubs to be born take up the position?" Taj asked uncomfortably.
"I thought of that too. But the same blood line has be transferred since the dawn of Pride Rock… If I didn't have my own cubs I would be ending a legendary blood line." Amadi said, licking at Taj's face, trying to make light of the matter.
"How would you do that…How would that be even possible?" Taj asked with curious, and irritated eyes.
"Well… I would have to find a female who would be ok with it, and--"
"No! No no no! No…" Taj said, shaking his head, jealously instantly hitting his heart. "You don't even like lionesses like that. You can't do that."
"Taj, I need to be able to continue the family line. Were lucky we can even be together, we at least need to respect the great traditions." Amadi said, firmly this time as he tried to state his authority. "And besides, it would just be so we could have a son. We need a lioness to carry our cub, or cubs. I need to pass on my families blood."
"Couldn't Dalia provide it? That way it would still be you blood, and there would be an heir." Taj said with frustration, trying his hardest to get out of this situation. Truth be told, he didn't even know if he wanted to start a family. He had forgotten about that duty when he decided to mate with Amadi. Who was he to father cubs?
"Oh yea, I'm going to steal a cub from my sister. She would never go for that! Besides, you said it yourself, she'll probably leave." He said with a sigh. He then rolled onto his stomach and looked up at Taj sheepishly. "Besides… I kind of… Want a cub of my own…"
Taj blinked and gave him a look. "….We should have thought about this earlier…" He said, looking away from him.
Amadi gave him an irritated look. "What's there to think about? I need a cub to pass on my genes! And I want one. It's not like I'm going to marry this lioness or anything like that. I just need a carrier. I'm sure one of them would go for it…" He said in a rushed, angry tone. "I mean, really?! What's the harm. It would be a one time thing just so we can have cubs….Or do you not want cubs?"
Taj didn't look at him or say anything. Amadi looked shocked and hurt. "So that's it? You could care less about me mating with a female, what your really hung up on is the fact that you don't want cubs!" He yelled, standing up. "Taj, your in a pride now. It's not just about you anymore. You have to start thinking of your future with me, and with this Pride, and the duties you have to us."
And with that Amadi stormed off, frustrated with his mate. How could Taj not thought about this already? It was bound to happen the moment Taj agreed to come back with him and be his king! Amadi walked into the den to sit down and cool off. Glancing about at the lionesses he began to think about it. How much he wanted a cub eventually. He never really thought about it before. But with Dalia's rants about how she was alone and would never bear cubs, honestly, made him think about it. And he had gotten excited about it. But now he didn't know. Would he have his own cub? Would Taj be willing to play a father role? He really didn't know.
Sorry for the short ass chapter. I basically made it to update the story, and let the people who have been commenting lately know I plan on finishing the story.
