Chapter Nine: Torrent
Guest: right now :) enjoy the chapter.
Hunter305414: I apologize for confusing you! If it helps, I confused myself and before giving a little summary I had to read the chapter again… and not only that I didn't know how to start this chapter after all of the confusion. If I need to clarify something, let me know, otherwise, enjoy the chapter.
TRON0602: Thank you, Kali. I figured you'd be stealthy in morning mist, due to your silver coat and all. I'm glad I captured your essence :) Maji, yes, I know, JJ smacks hard she's smacked me twice. Once when I wanted to alter her eye color a bit and the second time was when I tried giving her earrims to make her unique. *Hugs Hafsa* awwwww, I just know who looks good with who, and you and Giza fit together. *Glares at Rafiki and Indira, but smacks TRON* FYDLR OUIN MYHKIYKA! DRANA YNA LREMTNAH BNACAHD! *points to five-month-old Chaka, then cuddles him* It's okay, Chaka, I know you understand Al Bhed and TRON used a bad word. Lol, enjoy the chapter :)
CSIMentalistTLK Lover: I know, whirlwind chapters are the best, aren't they? Make you go back and read them over and over and over… and now I'm rambling like crazy :) anyway, yes, poor Muujiza, loosing the love of his life. Kiara and Kovu and the rest of their goons deserve death, yes. Yes, I agree. On a lighter note, JJ and Amri are pregnant, even if it's a teenage pregnancy :) it's a great thing. Enjoy the chapter.
Whoa it's fandoms: Thank you, my friend! We get to see little Zuri and Fahamu this chapter :)
Ashaki and Kibuluu stared each other in the face, both snarling.
"You killed Kula…" Kibuluu said.
"You killed my mother, we're even." Ashaki growled.
"That's not even close to even. Tama was a dictator." Kibuluu said.
"Lies." Ashaki whispered.
"She killed Scar." Kibuluu said.
"Scar was murdered by the hyenas." Ashaki said.
"My, you have an answer for everything, don't you?" Kibuluu said. Ashaki roared when she heard a scream from Pride Rock. Her eyes widened and Kibuluu smiled.
"Seems that my lionesses have made it to your precious next generation." Kibuluu said. Ashaki went to burst past Kibuluu but was pulled back by a dark gray lioness with blood red eyes, a slim build like Zira's, dark eyeshades, and three dark gray dots beneath her eye. Ashaki's eyes widened.
"Dotty?" Ashaki asked. The dark gray lioness nodded.
"I have seen the light, little one. Kibuluu is right, you are wrong. We are not one, and we never will be." Dotty said. Ashaki's lower jaw trembled.
"Dotty…" The Queen said. She barely remembered the gray lioness, but what she did remember was that Dotty kept her sane while she was with Kula. How could Dotty betray her like this? How?
"I'll put it this way… Kula was right too. I apologize to her, no matter where she is. She deserved better. She deserved to raise her children. She deserved to be Queen, she deserved to keep you." Dotty said. Ashaki sighed and stood up.
"How can you be so misguided when you always protected me from Kula's wrath?" Ashaki begged. Dotty laughed.
"Simple. I remembered the past. How I never could be with Scar legitimately because Diku had her claws in him." Dotty said. Ashaki's blue eyes filled with tears then she blinked them away.
"So be it." Ashaki said.
*+-/_\-+*
Nine lionesses had cornered Zira, Sarabi, Moto, and the younger generation. Nurisha, Jasiri and Zuri all huddled around Jua, Mwenzi, Chaka and Fahamu, being the braver of the cubs. The white lioness watched as they attacked the three older lionesses. Sarabi looked at Nurisha and Jasiri, her orange eyes insistent.
"Run! Run! Run away and don't look back!" Sarabi ordered. A horrible snapping noise sounded and Moto's red body fell limp. The rusty brown Jasiri tried to run to her mother when Zuri pushed her away.
"C'mon!" Zuri said. Nurisha lead the cubs out of the cave through the same exit JJ had taken. Nurisha made sure her friends were in front of her as she saw one lioness following them, intent on killing. The white lioness bore her teeth, prepared to protect whatever and whomever she could. The lioness slowed and gazed into Nurisha's eyes.
"Prepared to die?" The lioness asked. Nurisha growled.
"If it is to protect, so be it." Nurisha said. The lioness lunged at Nurisha when a loud roar sounded. Both lionesses glanced towards the roar. A silver lion ran through the rain and slapped the lioness, one of his own, aside. Nurisha gazed at her silver savior when he turned to her. White eyes met colorless orbs and the silver lion smiled.
"You look just like your mother." He said. Nurisha gasped and tears met her eyes.
"F-father?" She asked. The lion smiled and nodded, bringing Nurisha into a hug. Nurisha let out one sob before they heard rushing water. Kali looked up, then to Nurisha.
"Go back to your group. The flood is rising, and you need to be safe." He said.
"Not without you!" Nurisha insisted. Kali shook his head.
"I have to save your brother and stepmother, please, go." Kali pleaded with his newfound child. Nurisha shook her head again.
"No, I'll go with you!" Nurisha said. Kali growled.
"I am your father, go be with your group and find higher ground!" Kali ordered. Nurisha grumbled in defiance, but turned away from Kali and back towards her friends. Kali sighed.
I'm sorry, but it's for your own good. Kali turned to the fight and ran into the fray.
*+-/_\-+*
JJ found herself in the middle of the whole fight. Lionesses, both ones she knew and ones she didn't, fought tooth and nail. The Crown Princess searched the battlefield, searching desperately for one lion.
"Amri!" JJ called, her voice barely heard over the roars and growls of the lions around her. The Crown Princess navigated her way through the battlefield, tears in her eyes. She had lost track of her love after the fighting had started again.
She felt herself being rammed in the side. JJ lost her footing, gazing up into bright green eyes. Maji growled.
"Why did you hit me?" Maji asked.
"You went after my fiancé first and then you went after my mother!" JJ said, sitting up. Immediate concern for her cub came to JJ's mind and the Crown Princess stood up, her sky blue eyes looking into Maji's green orbs.
"Your mother went after my father! Your fiancé instigated the fight!" Maji rebuffed. JJ snarled and went to raise her paw only to feel a blow rip into her face, her attacker near invisible due to the lightning strike that blinded the Crown Princess.
JJ fell back, blood seeping from the wound and into her eyes and sticking to her fur. She had fallen on her side again, and concern for her child was still in her mind. The Crown Princess curled up, protecting her stomach from her attacker. Maji looked to the mahogany brown lion beside him. Kovu stood proud, glaring at his daughter.
"I should have done this the day you were born." Kovu growled. Maji's green eyes widened and he jumped between Kovu and JJ, growling.
"No." Maji said. Kovu looked taken aback.
"She's your enemy."
"She tried sparing me from this violence," Maji looked into JJ's sky blue orbs, saw all the blood on her face and grimaced, "I suppose I… I'm thanking her by sparing her life." Maji said. JJ's eyes widened and filled with tears, partially in pain, partially in gratitude. Kovu snorted and rolled his dark emerald eyes.
"Suit yourself. But I think I should kill this girl…" Kovu pushed Maji aside and went for JJ only to have a silver blur knock Kovu aside.
"JJ!" Tojo yelled, Kweli at her father's side. JJ smiled at her grandfather and aunt, losing consciousness. Tojo trotted to his granddaughter's side, nuzzling her. Kweli licked some of the blood from JJ's head.
Kali ran to Maji's side, nuzzling his son.
"Are you all right?" Kali asked. Maji nodded, deeply humbled.
"I don't think Jolina is." Maji whispered. Kali's silver form spun around to see Tojo and Kweli desperately trying to wake JJ. His white eyes filled with concern and he walked to Tojo, his head low.
"I apologize for this. If I would have been sooner…" Kali began. Tojo shook his head, his electric blue eyes meeting Kali's stark white orbs.
"You saved her life. That's all I ask as a grandfather. The wound isn't deep, and she won't die from blood loss." Tojo said. Kali nodded slowly.
"Get her up and get out of here. The water's rising, the Kings are angered at this, I don't know why, but…" Kali said. Tojo looked to his daughter, and Kweli helped her father get JJ onto his back.
"They're angered because a horrible soul lived whilst my wife died. They're angered because this wasn't to happen." Tojo said. Kali looked into Tojo's eyes.
"Your wife was… Tama, wasn't she?" Kali asked. Tojo nodded.
"Killed by the savage you follow." Tojo said, his electric blue eyes sending daggers into Kali's soul. Kali felt a conflict of emotions.
I told you… Mpenzi's voice sounded in his mind. Kali sighed.
"I don't follow him. At least, not anymore." Kali said. Tojo gave Kali a sad smile.
"Better the devil you know. Godspeed." Tojo said.
"Wait!" Kali said. Kweli glanced back at Kali; her crimson eyes meeting Kali's white orbs.
"The younger generation is no longer at Pride Rock. They've left for higher ground, I also saw an orange-brown lion and a brown lion run for them." Kali said. Kweli's jaw trembled, relieved her family and friends were safe.
"Thank you." Kweli said. Kali gave the dark golden lioness a smile.
"Anytime." Kali said. Kweli turned and followed her father away from the fray, leaving Kali and Maji behind.
*+-/_\-+*
Ashaki tasted blood in her mouth as she gazed at the destruction wrought. Dotty had a tear in her left ear, and had gained three slashes over her eye. The older lioness was suffering, and Ashaki was worse for wear.
"Dotty, please, listen to me!" Ashaki begged. Dotty struck out. Ashaki dodged the blow, but only barely, then approached the gray lioness.
"Why should I listen when you caused my daughter to run?" Dotty asked.
"Amani's safe! She has a daughter of her own now. Do you want to let her down that much?" Ashaki asked. Dotty's expression changed, and the gray lioness turned away. Ashaki sighed and glanced around, searching desperately for her daughter. While searching for JJ, there was no sign of Kibuluu either. Or Simba and Chumvi. Even Tojo wasn't visible. Ashaki turned around, in hope she'd see someone she knew. Instead she saw the water rising from the river.
The Queen gasped and roared for her pride. The Pridelanders all ran to their Queen.
"The river! Get to higher ground!" Ashaki yelled over a thunderclap. The lionesses all ran to the northwest towards the mountains. Ashaki ran her eyes over Kibuluu's pride, seeing no dead or dying. Then she saw a dark russet mane attached to a dark golden body, a dark gold lioness beside the lion, and a light beige lioness on the lion's back. Ashaki nearly cried in relief at seeing her father, sister, and daughter. Tojo nuzzled his eldest child.
"Where's Damu and Giza?" Ashaki asked.
"They bolted after that silver lion awhile ago." Tojo lied. Damu and Giza had, in fact, gone for higher ground, looking for the newest generation.
"Okay… okay. Simba and Chumvi?" Ashaki asked.
"Simba got hurt. Chumvi took him to see Rafiki." Kweli said. Ashaki sighed.
"Okay. Dad, go on with the lionesses, Kweli, we need to get the lionesses in Pride Rock." Ashaki said. Kweli nodded.
"Let's do it." Kweli said with a smile. The two sisters went towards Pride Rock, while Tojo took his granddaughter away from the fight. He was just glad that Ashaki hadn't seen the large gash across JJ's face, for he knew she would search for the lion that had done it.
"Dad!" Muujiza's voice sounded over the rumbling thunder and Tojo turned to see his eldest son.
"Thank the Kings you're all right." Tojo said.
"I know, I'm fine," Muujiza looked to his niece, "what happened to JJ?"
"Right now, we need to get to higher ground." Tojo said. Father and son bolted towards the pride at a run, and Tojo felt relief when he saw a small group of adolescent lions, a white lioness with them. Nurisha looked up and saw Tojo and Muujiza. She gasped and smiled.
"Uncle 'Iza! Poppa!" Nurisha yelled. Tojo never heard such a joyous sound as his adoptive granddaughter's call for him. Pride ran through the dark gold lion as Nurisha ran to him and he nuzzled her, his grandson close behind to weave himself between Muujiza's legs to escape the rain.
*+-/_\-+*
Kopa saw the pride run from the fight and turned to run himself, not seeing a single soul from his pride. He didn't see his mother, his father, his mate, or his daughter.
Panic set into the gold lion. He couldn't smell scents because of the rain. He couldn't track them like he usually would have.
"Kopa!" Nala's voice wafted to her son. Kopa looked up and saw his mother.
"Mom!" Kopa said, running to nuzzle his mother.
"C'mon, the flood's rising, we have to get to higher ground, everything will be washed here." Nala said.
"What about Dad? Where is he? Where's Moto?" Kopa asked.
"I don't know where Moto is, but your father is fine, and I saw Jasiri and the group head for higher ground. C'mon, let's go. Moto's a smart girl, she can find her way." Nala pleaded with her son. Kopa sighed.
"I know Moto is." Kopa said. Mother and son ran to the northwest, and Kopa saw the group of adolescents, his eyes landing on his rusty brown daughter.
"Jasiri!" Kopa yelled for his daughter. Jasiri turned to Kopa, her brown eyes filled with tears.
"Daddy!" Jasiri screamed, running right for her father. She sobbed into Kopa's brown mane. Kopa nuzzled his daughter, held her close.
"Sweetheart, sweetie… where's your mother?" Kopa asked, his blue eyes meeting his daughter's brown orbs. Jasiri swallowed hard, and gazed into her father's eyes. Kopa conveyed the meaning, and sighed.
"She did it to protect you." Kopa pulled Jasiri close again, tears in his eyes. Nala felt tears meet her eyes as well.
*+-/_\-+*
Ashaki and Kweli burst into Pride Rock at a run. No lionesses stood, but bodies were strewn across the floor of the kopje. The scent of blood was thick and heavy. The sisters wandered inside, looking around.
"'Shaki…" Ashaki heard Sarabi's voice, weak, but it was there. The Queen spun around, seeing her grandmother bloodied and bruised. She ran to Sarabi's side.
"Grandma…" Ashaki said, tears in her eyes. Kweli was shortly behind Ashaki, nuzzling Sarabi.
"I need you to be strong, sweetheart. For your children, for your people, for your family. Tough times are ahead." Sarabi whispered.
"Please, I can't lose you too… not like this." Ashaki begged. Sarabi leaned up and nuzzled Ashaki's cheek.
"You can be strong. You won't ever lose me, sweetie. I'm always here with you, just like your mother is." Sarabi said.
"Grandma…" Kweli said. Sarabi nuzzled Kweli with what strength she had left.
"I will be with Mufasa soon. I will be free of pain. Please, get out of here. Go protect those who need it," Sarabi's orange eyes lost their sheen, "Mufasa…" she said, so softly only Kweli heard her last word. Ashaki and Kweli looked to each other.
"She's right. The flood, we won't survive, we have to go with the pride." Kweli said, tears in her eyes as well. Ashaki sniffled and looked to Sarabi.
"It's been a wonderful life, Grandma. All that I am, you let me be me. All that you've done, all you've given to me. I'll miss you so." Ashaki said. Kweli nuzzled her sister and then Sarabi one last time then the sisters departed from the cave, both noticing that Moto and Zira had been killed as well, but had gone down fighting.
The sisters rejoined with the pride within a few minutes, tears still in their eyes. All eyes were on the sisters. Muujiza broke ranks and nuzzled them both.
"What is it?" Muujiza asked.
"Zira, Sarabi, and Moto are dead." Ashaki said with a sob, the Queen laid her head down. Nurisha and Chaka ran to their mother, and nuzzled her. Muujiza's jaw quivered.
"So much death…" He whispered. Kweli nodded.
"I hate to ruin the moment of silence, but…" Giza appeared, nodding to the flood. Ashaki sighed.
"Where should we go?" Ashaki asked her pride. Nala stepped forward.
"The jungle. It's safe, and Rafiki's tree is on the way there, so maybe we can heal the wounded first." Nala said. Ashaki smiled at her aunt.
"Then to the jungle we go, lead the way, Nala." Ashaki said. Nala smiled, glad her niece trusted her. The Pridelanders followed Ashaki and Nala, not looking back to the Pridelands once.
A/N: *sighs* wow another whiplash chapter. Two in a row's must be a record, isn't it? Anyway, little summary: Kibuluu and Ashaki fought only for Dotty to return and move to places unknown, Pride Rock's newest generation fled as Moto, Sarabi, and Zira gave their lives, Nurisha had a brief reunion with her biological father (Kali,) Maji and JJ seem to have an understanding, Kali saved JJ's life from Kovu after Kovu had attacked his daughter (leaving her scarred,) and it seems our Pridelanders are headed for the jungle, for solace and sanctuary.
Simba: Am I gonna be okay?
Me: I can't kill you yet! I mean, killing you right after killing your mother would just leave me too depressed to continue the story.
Simba: Thank God, I love you Chinny! *Hugs me*
Me: *coughs* CHOKING NOT BREATHING BAD THING SIMBA!
Nala: SIMBA!
Simba: WHAT?
Nala: She's suffocating!
Simba: OH! *lets me go*
Me: *coughs and sputters* after that… I see stars… *falls over*
Nala: *glares at Simba* look at what you've done.
Simba: *shrugs* I get overzealous.
Rikala: Dammit, Dad, I'll say so!
Simba: Watch it, Riri.
Rikala: *smiles* Anyway, since Chin seems to be out cold… Whoa it's Fandoms, who is my creator, has created a story about TLQII through my eyes. It's called Rikala: Through Her Eyes. Chin highly recommends it and you can see how I keep a smile on my face despite my horrible birth mother and half sister.
Nala: Kenya never deserved you, and Kula was a bitch.
Simba: Too true, too true.
Rikala: I should get back to Fandoms's set too…
Nala: I'll close the chapter then.
Simba: I wanna close the chapter!
Nala: For King's sake, Simba!
Kali: *Steps in* will the Pridelanders be okay? What about Usafi, Maji, the Moon Pride, and myself? Review and stay tuned!
Simba: KALI! I WANTED TO CLOSE THE CHAPTER!
Kali: *smacks Simba* behave yourself, brother.