Chapter 11

Da-thump. Da-thump.

The sound echoed in her ears. The constant pounding of her heart that beat wildly in her chest. Her paws ached but she never stopped running, not just for her life, but the life of her cub, her son.

Her little Kopa.

Whenever her body seemed to be slowing down, she would hear them again. Their laughter. Their endless laughter. Laughter that created nothing but a sick sinking feeling in the pit of the Pridelander Queen's stomach. Their laughter drove her onwards, far ahead of it, never wanting to hear such cruel laughter again.

But everywhere she ran, it was endless. Pride Rock was so far away. Growing further and further into the distance no matter how fast she ran toward it.

'HELP!'

She wanted to call out. But she could not risk dropping her cub, and the feeling of doubt filled her. Knowing that no one could hear her. She was alone. All alone. Alone with her son who would die should she not do something. The wounds on her body seemed to be, becoming too much.

Dizzy from the loss of blood. The Queen found herself slowing. Her home getting further away from her. "SIMBA!" she cried out for her mate, realizing her mistake that she had dropped her son who landed upon the ground with a thud.

"Mommy?" the cub whimpered as if fearing his mother would leave him behind. Zuri turned and looked down upon her son. Who stared back at her with the ever familiar eyes of her mate. Simba…would she ever see him again?

"Sh…" she started but it was too late, she could hear the laughter. Head snapping up, the Queen stared into the darkness from the direction they had come from but slowly it was surrounding them. "Run Kopa! Run!' Zuri grabbed her son by the scruff and tossed him yelling for him to keep running and never stop.

But it was no use. The laughter was getting closer and louder. They were gaining on them.

"Mommy!"

The brown lioness stopped realizing she had overtaken her son in the chase and had lost him behind her.

"Kopa!" turning in circles, she tried to spot him through the darkness. She lifted her head to the sky, dark clouds rolled over head, threatening to spill the rain that they held inside. Blocking out the light of the moon and stars from view casting the world around her into complete and utter darkness.

"Kopa!" she shouted again but came no reply. Dread filled her body. Where was her son? That's when she heard it, a sound that was enough to make one's blood run cold. A blood curdling scream. NO! Was the thought running through her head and she took off in the direction the sound had come from.

Part of her screaming for her to turn back. That her son was alive and this was someone else.

Through the darkness she picked up the sight of something laying on the ground.

Something small…

Something lifeless….

Something golden brown in fur and brown of mane….

"NO!" The scream wretched from her as she dashed toward the fallen body of her son. Throwing herself down upon the ground she wrapped her paws around him, drawing him near her body. "No…Kopa…my little boy…"

It could not be. Her son could not be dead. And yet here he was…his fur blood stained from multiple claw markings…her beautiful little boy was gone and it was all her fault. She could not protect him. She had failed. What sort of mother was she? What would her mate say?

Would he blame her for their son's death? He surely would. It had been her job to protect him. Clenching her eyes shut, the queen buried her nose in her son's blood stained coat as tears coursed down her cheeks.

"Zuri…"

A voice came upon the wind. But the Queen would not lift her head.

"My daughter…"

Sapphire eyes opened, head lifting up Zuri realized that the landscape around her had changed. The grass that was lush and green from the raining season was now crisp and dry and dead crumbling to the ground. The land seemed dead. And a fog had rolled it from all around.

But that was not what caught her direct attention. Eyes slowly widening, the Queen drew herself to her paws looking down to see that her son's body no longer lay where it had fallen. She could not understand what was going on…

Lifting her head she stared at the sight that greeted her. "Mother…" how could this be? Her mother was dead. How could she be standing right in front of her. There seemed to not be a single marking on her body from where the hyenas had ripped her apart. She looked young and healthy as she did before age had started to take her.

The very same lioness that had raised her, and died to save her. Now stood in front of her giving her the same tender smile she had always given her since the day she had first opened her eyes to look upon the lioness that had brought her into the world. "Mother…is that really you…?"

The lioness nodded her head slowly, the smile never leaving her face.

"But…how could this be…am I dead…?" Zuri could not remember if she had been killed. Maybe it was when she had been mourning the death of her son. Had death come that quick?

Zakia's eyes saddened. And Zuri felt a great sadness wash over her…but if she was dead…where was her son? Should he not be here in the afterlife with her? Lifting her head she opened her mouth to speak but the other lioness shook her head and motioned for Zuri to follow.

Standing, Zuri began to walk toward her, her mother was a welcoming sight…"Mother…" she reached out her paw for the lioness who just smiled back at her when once again everything changed.

'No Zuri!"

The lioness stopped from reaching out toward the image of her mother. A lioness she wanted nothing more then to see since the day she died. To nuzzle her again. To tell her, that she loved her, or to talk to her about all her problems again. How joyous that would be…

"You are going the wrong way Queen Zuri."

The second voice spoke again. Turning her head slowly, Zuri looked back the way she had come, stopping dead at the tall shadow that stood in the darkness where the light from the moon that now shown through the clouds could not reach. The figure was tall…it stood on two paws…two legs…straight as a tree…but not nearly as tall as one.

Who was this strange creature? "Mother!" whipping back around Zuri saw that the other lioness no longer stood in front of her… "Mother! No! No, come back, mother!"

New tears ran down her face. She was alone now. Not even the dead body of her son with her for comfort. No son, no mother, no mate, no pride.

"Queen Zuri…"

The queen snapped her head back around and stared at the strange shadowy figure, a snarl tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Who are you? Show yourself!"

The figure moved slowly through the darkness toward the light. Zuri turned her body fully to see this creature. Who were they and how did they know her? She had never seen such a creature before…

The strange two legged creature stepped closer….and closer…and closer into the light…

A gasp escaped Zuri's lips, "What are you…"

"I am…"

"Zuri! Zuri, wake up!" A pair of paws shook her gently at first, and then a little harder each time they called out her name. An ever familiar voice called out to her, a voice that held such a tender lovingness to it when it spoke to her. But now it had a growing demand to it filled with concern.

Eyes opening, they clamped shut again at the harsh light that filled them. Why was it so bright…? It was night and dark just moments ago…and that figure…who…

A shadow cast itself over her and Zuri found herself opening her eyes again to stare into the concerned amber ones of her mate. They were filled with worry, worry for her. Looking around her, Zuri suddenly remembered it was daylight. The great circle hung high in the sky telling all that it was the middle of the day…

Now she remembered, she had fallen asleep when Sarabi had agreed to take Kopa for the day. To allow the two to have some quality time. The young Queen knew the former Queen was making up for the times she had lost when it came to loosing Simba as a cub. Making it up with her grandson.

It had all been a dream…no a nightmare. Here her son wasn't dead, he was a live. Safe with his grandmother. And she too was alive…there wasn't any wounds on her body. She sighed; she should have known it was a dream…why else would she see her mother…

How often had she dreamt of her mother since her death? Too many times, far too many to count. But this was the first she had ever been in such a terrible dream…But she was relieved that, that was all it had been…

"Zuri?"

Lifting her eyes once more to look at her mate, she spoke "Yes?"

Simba sighed and sat down, he had come across his mother and Kopa out in the grasslands during his patrol and had hurried home to see his mate thinking to spend some quality time with her. For as of late Zuri had been too tired to do much and some quiet time with their son being busy was time he thought they could spend.

But when he had arrived, Aufa had told him Zuri had gone to rest on the other side of Pride rock where she deemed it would be quiet. He had been hoping to surprise her, but what he found was not what he expected.

His mate was twitching in her sleep. Moaning in pain, crying in fear. From time to time he heard her cry Kopa's name and then she spoke of her mother. It was around that time he decided to wake her, having taken good five or so minutes to get her to open her eyes.

"Are you alright? You had me worried…" the King looked down upon his Queen with a questionable expression.

Climbing to her paws, Zuri stretched her limbs hearing them pop. "Yes, I am fine…it had only been a nightmare…thank you so much for waking me up…it felt…so real…" she trailed off with a whisper turning her head away she stared off into the distance where she could hear the laughter of the lionesses as they lounged around in the shade of the afternoon.

Simba watched her with careful eyes and sighed nodding his head, he stepped toward her and wrap his paw around her drawing her against him. He knew she wasn't about to tell him what she had dreamt of, so he didn't push it. Laying his head against hers as she buried her face against his mane.

She had to fight the urge to sigh in relief as she nuzzled against her mate. Here she was safe. And safe she would always be. She didn't have to worry. She knew Simba would never allow anything to happen to her. The two remained like that for some time, enjoying each others company, both seemed to be lost in the thoughts of the alone time they use to have when they snuck away from the pride in the Jungle for some nice quiet alone time. Just the two of them.

Pulling away, Simba lowered his paw "How are you feeling…you haven't been really well as of late…" this was a concern of not just him but the pride as well. On the hunt just two days prior, Nala had come to him saying that Zuri had collapsed during the hunt, claiming she been too tired. He wondered if she been having more nightmares then just the one he had woken her from?

Looking thoughtful, Zuri didn't know how to answer. She knew she been hadn't been feeling well and during the hunt she had claimed it as being too tired. The lionesses had believed her and did not blame her for loosing that day's hunt; it would be another day or so before the members of the pride went hungry anyways and would hunt again.

"I believe I shall be fine, you shouldn't worry Simba!" Zuri turned back to face her mate with a smile lighting up her features that made a smile spread across the King's face. His mate's smile was always one to make him melt but he still couldn't get rid of his nagging feeling.

"Still, I think you should do what I suggested this morning!" Simba urged, looking her in the eyes and saw them suddenly turn stubborn and a sigh slipped from his mouth. "Zu'…"

"Simba, I will be fine"

"What if it get's worse?"

"I'm sure it won't."

"Zu', come on, just hear me out. Do this for me…do it for Kopa?"

Simba knew he had his mate there. Zuri would do anything for him and Kopa. Especially for their son. Closing her eyes, Zuri let out a small sigh then nodded. "Oh very well, I shall go see Rafiki, you stubborn lion!" she playfully shoved Simba with her paw making him give her his usual cocky smile.

"Oh, come now, you know you love me!" letting out a laugh, Simba dodged the paw she swiped his way. Grinning, he gave her a nuzzle and a lick on the cheek. "Come on then, I'll walk you there," he got back to his paws fully and stepped up beside her as the two of them headed toward the other lionesses.

Who all fell quiet as the king and Queen approached, smiles spreading across their faces as they bowed their heads. Zuri shook hers, she had told them constantly that bowing was not a something she wanted. But she guessed it was something that came with being mated into a royal family. She cast a glance at Simba. Said lion was just giving the other lionesses a smile in return, his words jarred her from his thoughts, "I'm escorting Zuri to Rafiki to have him check her out."

This caught the attention of the pride that looked toward her with concern. "Is it that serious?" Aufa asked looking at the Queen with a look of concerned in her old eyes.

"No, no, Simba is just being his usually over protective stubborn self!" Zuri smiled reassuringly at the pride. She was sure it was nothing but she would humour her mate.

Simba nudged her with his head to get her to move when a cry came over head, "Sire, it's urgent! Hyenas spotted near the western border!" Zazu swooped down from overhead and landed on the rocks his feathered ruffled in which he fixed with a good few shakes of his wings.

Gritting his teeth, Simba looked between Zazu and Zuri not sure what to do. He wanted to accompany her to Rafiki to make sure she would be okay, but the news of the hyenas was never a good thing. "Go," Zuri smiled placing her paw atop of his.

"Are you sure…I can take you there first…then go and handle it…" Simba stopped talking when Zuri gave him one of her looks.

Nala climbed to her paws and jumped down from the rocks approaching her two friends, "I can escort her Simba," she offered smiling when Simba looked at her with relief glad someone would be with Zuri.

"Thank you," Simba turned toward Zuri and gave her one last nuzzle before following after Zazu who took to the sky to lead the way, the entire time cursing the timing for this for his mind was on his mate and not his duty as a king.

Watching him go, Zuri shook her head before looking at Nala who smiled at her. "Stubborn!" she grinned the other lioness laughed and nodded her head in agreement before they excused themselves from the others and started on down Pride rock toward Rafiki's. It would be a good walk to get there.

"Do you think it could be something bad?' Nala asked part way from Pride Rock.

Zuri shook her head, "No, but I will see him anyways. Something familiar about this, but I can't place my paw on it," she chuckled lifting her head to look at the sky. For a moment she let her mind drift toward her dream, that wasn't the first time she dreamt of her death nor Kopa's…the night before Kopa's presentation was the first time…and it had been months since she had dreamt of that again.

And then the appearance of her mother…and that strange two legged creature…she didn't even get his name before she had been awakened. What did all this mean…to dream of it more then once then to dream of her dead mother…was something going to happen to her…to Kopa?

She couldn't think of it. If anything happened to her son she would never let herself regret it not even if she died. She would torment herself in the afterlife knowing she couldn't protect her only cub.

Was this a sign?

She stared at the sky, her mind clouded with thoughts when she heard Nala call her name. "Huh…oh, sorry Nala, I got side tracked," she looked toward her friend who was watching her with concern. Zuri saw they were half way to Rafiki's baobab tree which was looming just ahead of them.

Furrowing her brow, Nala looked at Zuri closely. For some time there her friend had blanked out and had almost a pained look on her face. The last time Nala had seen that look on her face was months ago when they had gotten news of Zuri's uncle when he had died. It had taken the young Queen a while to get use to the thought that her uncle was gone and she hadn't been there for her family instead she was in the Pridelands and unable to see them and offer her comfort to them.

"What's on your mind Zuri?' she asked softly stopping she sat down on the ground leaving the Queen to stop and turn toward her from where she had walked a bit ahead of her before realizing that the other lioness had stopped.

"What do you mean?" the young Queen asked looking at her friend.

"You look like something is troubling you, would you like to talk about it?" Nala asked getting to her paws she walked toward Zuri and sat down in front of her.

"It's noth…"

"Don't tell me it's nothing Zuri. The last time I seen you this disturbed was over your uncle's death…now what is it that is bothering you?" Nala pressured looking her friend in the face. She didn't mean to pressure the young Queen, but she was beginning to worry that maybe something was bothering her friend. "I won't tell Simba is that's what you're worried about. I swear you have my word."

Closing her eyes, Zuri let herself think about it for a moment then finally she sighed "Alright," she started looking up at the sky then looked around them then finally landed her eyes on Nala. She continued "When I was laying down earlier to rest, I had a nightmare…but I had one similar before…the first right before Kopa's presentation. We were being chased…both Kopa and I…and we were attacked…both times we…" closing her eyes again Zuri dug her claws into the ground.

"You both died?"

Nodding her head, Zuri fought the tears that wanted to fall. Lifting her head, she took a deep breath of air. "Yes…and this time, I saw my dead mother in my dreams…I have often dreamt of her but those dreams were normally about the past…cuddling with her when I was a cub. Strolling with her along the paths that she marked in the Jungle that she deemed safe for me should I wonder alone…how concerned she was for me and Simba that time we got lost with Jaali….and…." she paused not sure if she should speak about the last part of her dream.

Not sure how Nala would take that.

"And that's it…" she said looking toward said lioness.

Nala sat there, brow furrowed, concern written across her face, now deeply disturbed that her friend and Queen had dreamt, not once, but a couple times about her and the young prince dying. But that would be impossible. Zuri was a strong lioness, and Simba wouldn't let anything happen to Zuri nor Kopa. And the pride was well, the pride respected and loved the young Queen and Prince, they would protect them as well. They wouldn't let something like what happened in the past happen again not if they had anything to do about it.

But that didn't make it any less disturbing and now was suddenly wishing she hadn't said she wouldn't tell Simba. For if something really did happen to Zuri, she would feel guilty about not telling her best friend and anyone else that could lead to the queen and prince's protection.

"Zuri…I…" Nala started, but she paused not sure what to say.

"It's alright, Nala!" Zuri gave her friend a grin.

"No, Zuri…I'm worried that maybe…"

"Yes, I know. That's why I said it's alright. Because…I'm worried as well, I don't want anything to happen to Kopa…I don't care what happens to me…I can't live knowing I didn't save my son…but I will do anything to keep Kopa safe!" Zuri cut her off.

"And I…I mean, we, the pride, will keep you safe," Nala stepped forward and nudged Zuri with her head.

"Thank you," Zuri whispered returning her nudge before she turned and continued her way toward the baobab tree in the distance. Nala standing back as she watched her walk on ahead, knowing if something happened…she would need to help Simba along, oh how she hoped her friend didn't have to go through such a loss again.

Clearing her mind, Nala jumped to her paws and hurried after the brown lioness.

Arriving at the tree, neither lioness was surprised to see the old mandrill shaman was expecting them. Leaning on his staff he motioned for them both to follow him up into the tree in which the two followed with their claws digging into the bark to help them up. Once inside they looked around.

Zuri stopped to look at some drawings on the bark of the tree and approached it. They were images of lions. From their mane colours and fur and stories she heard, they were the great kings of the past, and then her eyes landed on the one that was Simba and smiled. She set her eyes upon the last drawing… "Kopa…" she breathed out. Her son was up there with his father and the past kings…and one day he too will be a great King…

Somehow, deep past her fears and her doubts that the nightmares gave her, she knew her son would be a great King one day and she would be as proud of him as she was everyday she watched him grow more and more.

"My Queen," Rafiki's voice jarred her from her thoughts making her turn toward the shaman. "What is troubling you?"

Zuri suddenly remembered why they had come there and approached Rafiki, sitting down she began to describe how she been feeling. And she could have sworn she saw mischief in the old monkey's eyes, almost like the first night she had met him all those months ago in the Jungle when he had come to convince Simba to head home.

Rubbing his chin, the shaman laid his staff down and walked to the side of the young queen and had her lay down and laid his hands upon her side once she had done exactly what he had told her to do. Then bending down he laid his head against her stomach, with his ear pressed close. Closing his eyes, he grinned and nodded his head. "Ah…"

"What is it?" Nala asked from where she was sitting.

Standing back, Rafiki laughed and moved around his home muttering to himself as Zuri climbed back to her paws. "Da Queen is not sick."

Both lionesses shared a look, then focused on their attention on the old mandrill again who was still walking around rummaging through his things. "Then what is it?"

They watched Rafiki grab a baobab fruit and crack it open. Taking a bite out of one half he chewed leaving them watching him wanting to know what he was going to say. "Da young Queen…"

"Yes?" both lionesses leaned forward.

"Is pregnant…" Rafiki took another bite out of his fruit, chewing as he watched them as the news sank in. Their eyes widened.

Zuri gasped and laid a paw against her stomach. Pregnant? Was that why it was so familiar to her. She was pregnant…she was going to have another cub…possibly more then one? A large smile started to crack across her face at this news. She couldn't wait to rush back to Pride rock and find Simba and tell him the joyous news…

But the smile soon vanished as she thought of her dreams…

No…no…what had she done…she was pregnant…if something happened to her…the cub would either die…or she would leave it motherless…and would eventually die without anyone to nurse them…

All these thoughts ran through her head pushing all joyous thoughts from her head. These thoughts remained in her head as they left for Pride rock.

Nala quickly stepped up along side her friend and nuzzled her gently, "It will be alright…" she whispered. The young queen looked at her; she thought for a moment before she turned toward Nala stopping the lioness in her tracks and looked her in the eyes.

"Promise me something Nala?"

Nala took a moment before she nodded her head, "Yes…of course, what is it?"

"If something happens to me…you will take care of my cub…I trust you…please…"

Nala was shocked but stared at the brown lioness. "Zuri…"

"Promise me!"

Sighing, she closed her eyes and thought for a moment then nodded looking up with tears in her eyes. Nala nodded, "Yes…I promise…but nothing is going to happen Zuri. I swear it!" she vowed. But deep down something inside Nala told her she was vowing a broken vow. But she would do anything in her power to stop it.

Rubbing her head against Nala's, Zuri looked up at the sky then turned and headed toward pride rock to tell the pride of the news. With Nala falling in line behind her with a sad look on her face which she quickly hid before they met the pride.

Neither of them was aware of the two figures standing in the distance beside a tree watching the two lionesses. One figure stood taller then another, and seemed obviously to all around them save for the two lionesses walking further into the distance. "That is her?" the smaller one asked.

"Yes, the time draw's near where we will be needed, are you prepared?" the taller one asked without bothering to glance down to see the small figure nod it's head. The two stood there even as the light in the sky seemed to grow dark as time passed and the two lionesses were far out of range that they could no longer see them.

"The time is near…"