Just Beneath the Surface

by Shembre

What if it all boiled down to one moment, one mistake? Kovu's mistake? Digging to the very dark heart of the matter is the one hope at ending a vicious cycle of violence before the ripples of chaos expand too far to control. But it may just come at a high price... (Warning: character death). Could be seen as satire...?

6. Maybe Later

For the remainderof the night, Kovu lay sleepless with Tanga's warm body pressed against his face, her rhythmic breathing and the little wheezing sounds she made bringing him little comfort. As soon as the sky began to pale, he turned his head to will Simba awake with this eyes. When the king finally did stir, Kovu closed his eyes and stood to stretch, pretending he too had just awoken.

"Ready?" Simba asked.

Kovu nodded. "Ready as ever."

They were just stepping out of the den when Kovu heard Tanga call his name from behind. She ran up to him. "Daddy! Dad, where are you going?"

"Simba and I have something to do," he told her.

"Can't I come?" she piped.

"No, daughter, this is adult business. Too dangerous for youngsters. I'll be back later."

"Awww…" Tanga whined. "But when you come back…"

Kovu smiled. He knew what she was going to ask. "Maybe, Tanga. I can't promise."

Tanga sat down heavily as she watched Simba and her father depart. Zazu, the king's majordomo, followed as well from the air. She wondered where they were going exactly. When they were out of sight, she stood up again and began to follow, lured by the thought of some grand adventure.

"Tanga, where are you going? Did your father not tell you to stay behind?"

Tanga turned around. It was her mother. "Wellll…"

"He'll be back soon enough. Come back into the cave," Kiara suggested. "Your brother and Natin are awake."

"But I'd rather go hunting… Daddy keeps saying he will, but he's just too busy," Tanga replied sadly. She'd been eagerly waiting to spend time with her father, but she was constantly being disappointed.

Kiara stuck out a paw to guide her daughter back into the cave. The bright sun was already beginning to heat up the baking savannah. "Hunting is your father's prized skill, but I could always take you out to see the herds later," Kiara tried tempt her daughter.

"I guess," Tanga replied, less than enthused. She loved her mother, but there was something about being with her strong, stealthy father that would make the event of learning to hunt the most fun possible. She wanted very much to learn from the master. Obediently, she followed Kiara back into their den where she looked on as Natin bested Asuma at wrestling.

"Daddy never has time for us anymore…" she whispered to herself.