…
"Where are you going?" Ruendi asked in concern as Simba slipped away from the many boisterous animals, and headed out to the undergrowth. He turned to the monkey with an indiscernible look, nosed him onto his head and headed on further into the entanglement.
"Ruendi, back there." Simba started to explain to him while he gently placed him on a loose, thick vine swing." We just don't talk about each other's pasts like that. It's about Hakuna Matata," he tried reasoning; though it sounded flat, "No worries. Understand…?"
"There's no such thing as 'no worries' Simba." The monkey stated. "I worry."
"Well, ta live here, you can't worry." The lion was aware of how absurd he sounded; and grimaced at Ruendi's cocked head, worried now that he sounded weird. "Okay, Ruendi?"
"But don't you ever think about your home," He braved. Simba backed away a little.
"I don't think about it Ruendi."
"Why not!?"
"Because it's in my past."
"How come your eyes are making water?"
"Ruendi!" Simba turned on him with toothed scowl. The lion monkey backed away now himself, like he had earlier when Simba had pretended to pounce. "Ruendi… I'm sorry."
"Are you mad at me?" He whimpered, tears touching his own deep-hued eyes.
The lion was aware of dampness under his lids. "Just drop it, please. And no, I'm not."
"Then what are you mad at?"
"I'm not mad at anything!"
"Then why are you yelling?"
"I'm yelling because I would rather forget I ever had parents!"
The air was still after he said this. All around the pair, noises that had emitted in the far off distance became strained and then dissipated entirely. Simba bit down on his black-pink tongue, hard. He turned with a regretful look to Ruendi, but he wasn't looking at the jaded cat. The monkey was in deep thought when he finally looked up at Simba and said:
"I can't even remember my parents."
"I'm sorry I yelled at you." Simba abashed.
"I'd rather remember mine all the time then never be able to."
The lion moaned.
Ruendi took off.
"Wait, Ruendi!" He crashed through the foliage in pursuit of the primate. "Ruen, c'mon."
Simba tried keeping up with him, but Ruendi was able to dodge him and; just like he had in the beginning; he disappeared into the jungle. The lion rushed around for the next hour in search of him, growing more and more worried. He was inclined to gather more help, but Simba knew that if he did that others would question his ability to care for the child. The lion monkey was gone, Simba finally decided, and he might not ever see him again. In this moment of realization, Simba pushed through the underbrush and surfaced at the top near the waterfall. He walked up to the mossy mid-point, flopped down and buried himself in his big arms. When Simba was sure that the roar of the rushing spring was loud enough to cancel out his own voice, he allowed himself to sob despairingly into his padded paws.
…
To be continued…
