Chapter Seventeen

Sarafina's POV

I was awake hours before the sun rose on that day, "Ah, good morning madam Sarafina, did you have a pleasnt sleep?" came the cheery voice of Zazu, the royal Majordomo

I smiled at the hornbill as he landed within my visibility in the extremely low light, "Pleasnt enough Zazu, how are you doing?" I asked back

He nodded, "I've certainly had worse mornings, the only thing I could complain about really is how cold it's been recently." he said, shivering for emphasis.

I nodded, this rainy season had been out of the ordinary in terms of weather, "Perhaps it will warm up." I said encouragingly

"Mhm, I can't imagine it being able to get much colder."

"True, but the weather has been known to surprise us, do you remember the rains after Mufasa first took over?"

"As I recall, it did not rain, a strange white powder was all we had to show for that year madam."

"My point exactly. So what does my son-in-law have you doing this morning?" I asked, Zazu didn't usually make his rounds until the sun was up.

He seemed to straighten up at the mention of Simba, "I'm just gathering any early morning complaints, concerns, or information. Gives his majesty something to listen to in the morning."

I let an annoyed laugh, "He could try listening to my daughter more often." I said. Simba was both a phenominal king and father, but he wasn't exactly the most compromising husband from what Nala had told me, I didn't hate him, I was just annoyed that he wasnt open to new ideas.

Zazu let a nervous chuckle, "Yes...well, shall I make that a formal complaint from you then madam?" he asked, returning to his servile, businesslike manner.

"No Zazu, do tell him that I noticed some hyenas down by the southrenmost border yesterday evening when I was returning from my hunt though.." I said giving him a much more acceptable alternative

Zazu nodded, "Yes, I do believe he'll want to hear that, will there be anything else madam?"

"Can you drum up a nice young male and take about five years off my age?" I asked sarcastically

Zazu laughed, "Very very clever, you have a good day now madam." he said

"You be sure and do the same Zazu." I said to him as he flew away.

Simba's POV

I awoke early the next morning, careful not to disturb Nala's peaceful slumber as I stood and made my way out to the promintory (presentation area) to watch the sun rise. This morning was very cold, so cold that I could see my breath in the early morning light, but there was just something about watching the sun climb slowly over the horizon that was calming to me, it had been that way all of my life thus far.

As visibility improved, I quckly became aware that I wasn't the only one observing the sunrise, Tano stood a short distance away from me, either not taking notice of my presence, or not caring; he stared out toward the horizon.

"Why are you up so early Tano?" I asked, concerned. Tano usually slept in late, it wasn't like him to be up this early.

He looked back over his shoulder at me, "Couldn't get to sleep." he replied

Couldn't get to sleep? He'd been up all night?

"Well, what's going on? Why did you not sleep last night?" I asked him, my tone letting him know that I was concerned for him

He huffed a sigh and returned his gaze to the ascending sun.

"Tano? Is there something you want to talk about?" I asked, he was clearly upset with me for some reason.

He shook his head, "No. Not really." was his short answer

I changed the subject, this had been bothering me since the day before, "Tano, why did you lie to me?" I asked

I got another annoyed sigh as my answer

"I talked to Kufa, he said he had no idea how you got hurt because he's been grounded." I continued, shaking off his annoyance.

Tano turned around, "Do you believe him dad? He's lied to you before." he said

True, but I had seen how scared Kufa was of me when I'd questioned him, it took a good actor to fake that.

"No Tano, I don't believe him, but I'll wait until I've talked to his mom before I dismiss his side of the story completely." I explained in an attempt to sound neutral and fair.

Tano shook his head, "Am I still grounded? I want to go play with my friends." he said, almost indignantly, I had no idea what was causing him to be that way with me.

I sighed, he'd been grounded for the past day, I figured he'd learned enough of a lesson for now, "Have fun, but be careful with your ear the way it is, ok?" I asked

Without even a glance, he shot away from me. I was left to ponder his unusual behavior, I hadn't done anything that merited that from anyone.

I had a kingdom to run however, and getting to the bottom of Tano's emotional state unfortunately wasn't a high priority on my to do list for that day, but I made a mental note to talk to him about it over the evening meal.

I almost didn't get to.

Zira's POV

I realized how seriously in trouble I was when the uncontrollable urge to vomit greeted me with the rising sun for the third morning in a row. After I hurled the last night's dinner into the thorn bushes outside the den, the pieces started falling into place. No wonder I had been so edgy lately (more than usual, and that was saying something).

'Great', I thought to myself, the last thing I need is another cub on the way. And from NADUGU, no less. At that thought, another strong wave of nausea hit me like a raging stampede, and I proceeded to empty the remaining contents of my stomach onto the already dying thorn bush. I cursed silently at the thorns as I yanked them from my cheek. What a way to start the day.

"Mother… a-are y-you alright?" I cringed at Nuka's voice, knowing he'd probably just seen that. I turned to see him standing just inside the entrance to the den.

"Yes I'm fine, why do you ask?" I asked, hoping I was wrong.

He paused for a moment, then he said, "Well, I've heard you get sick just about every morning this week, and I'm kinda worried about you, Mother. I just hope you're ok." I could see that, even though he was visibly hesitant in telling me this (probably afraid of my reaction), he still meant it and wouldn't take it back. Maybe it was the effect of my newly crazy hormones, but his concern for me actually touched me.

"Nuka, I'm fine," I reassured him, stern enough so he wouln't bring it up again, yet soft enough that I wasn't scolding him as usual. And with that, I hurled yet again in the thorn bush.

Vitani's POV

With mother sick and Nuka trying to kiss up to her as usual, I had a fairly easy time sneaking off to go find Tano, he and I were going to have fun that day, come hell or high water. I never really got what that saying meant, but I look back and think how ironic it was that I thought of it on that day in particular.

"What's up Tano?" I asked from behind him, startling him a little.

He grinned at the sight of me, "Hey 'Tani." he said as he stood and greeted me with a quick nuzzle.

I felt my face flush slightly at the gesture, "So where are we going today?" I asked

Tano laughed, "Anywhere where Nuka isnt." he joked, flicking his bad ear for emphasis

I began laughing with him, while we were laughing I took note of Tano's growing mischevious smile, "Tag! you're it!" he declared as he patted me on the back, then quickly darted away for the tall grass of the open . I immediately gave chase, Tano was quick, but if he thought he was going to make it into the tall grass to hide, he was dead wrong.

Ed's POV

The plan was in motion, the cubs were out on the plains, Shenzi had given me the go ahead to set the afternoon ablaze, literally. I ran throughout the tall, wavy tan grass; touching the ignited end of the stick I carried gingerly in my mouth to the tall blades at random intervals. Pretty soon I had a raging inferno going, and this wildfire once started, was truly unstoppable.

I dropped the stick and took a moment to admire the blaze before me, Tano would surely be killed in this, but I wondered if Zira knew he was playing with her daughter when she'd given the order through Rinaka, who was acting as her stand in until she got better. No matter, this was a war; and in war there are unintended casualties.

I made my way back to where Banzai, Rinaka, and Shenzi watched my handiwork engulf the Pridelands with my head held high.

Tano's death would leave Simba emotionally open to attack, then we would seize Pride Rock once again, this time with Zira as our leader.

I'd like to start off with another shout-out to my co-writer in California, even though I can be a little obsessive at times, I miss you. Your work on this story has helped me through many bouts of writer's block.

A/N: I dunno, it felt as though it could be longer, but It said what needed to be said, I'm pretty proud of this chapter.

Sorry about the Month-long wait readers, but tell me how me and my co-writer are doing, we need your reviews to tell us what to fix.

Thanks for reading up to this point, be on the lookout for CH18.