Chapter 27
His paws ached. The one he had twisted earlier that night throbbed painfully. But he kept on going. His Father's last words pushing him on. Tears stung his eyes but he didn't try and stop them from coming. Even if he didn't Kopa knew he wouldn't be able too. All he could think of was the last image he would ever have of his parents and pride.
His mother's bloody torn body on the ground where she had previously been begging for the life of her cubs.
His Father's body pinned beneath the mother of the ones he had considered his closest friends in the whole world. Her jaws wrapped around his Father's neck as the King last words echoed to his son.
"RUN KOPA! RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN! GET BACK TO PRIDE ROCK! GO NOW!"
And go he did. He had gone from the top of the hill to the bottom in seconds only because half way down he had lost his footing which caused him to tumble the rest of the way down. But he didn't waste another second as he tore away from the scene that he knew would be one of the many that would haunt him for years to come.
He hadn't seen what had happened to the rest of the Pride. But he feared that they like his parents and siblings were now dead.
Zira had taken everything away from him.
It was why he ran as far away from Pride Rock as he possibly could. He knew he wouldn't be able to get there. Pride Rock was just too far from where he was. And judging by the slapping of paws he heard against the muddy ground behind him he was being followed. But the Prince didn't look back to see who it was.
A small part of him told him he should just stop and let whoever was chasing him catch him. Maybe it was a last living member of his Pride. Maybe it was one of Zira's or Zira herself. That small part of him told him to stop, let them catch him. Let them put him out of his misery. Everyone else was gone why not just join them in death.
But there was another part of him that told him to go. And this part of him came in the voices of his parents that kept telling him to run and never look back. The last pleading frightened looks on their faces as they feared what would happen to him. His parents wouldn't want him to die. The rest of their cubs much like themselves were already gone.
What was it that Hawa said?
Don't put their sacrifice in vain?
New tears stung his eyes.
His parents sacrifices.
They had died for him. They had died for their cubs like a parent should. Just like his grandmother always said when he asked about his grandfather Mufasa…
"….I don't blame Mufasa for what he did…your grandfather did what any parent would have done for their younglings. I would have done the same in order to save my son…"
Or what his mother said about her parents…
"…..I wanted for so long to hate my mother for what she did…and hate my father for leaving me to grow up alone without him…but I came to understand that they did it for me…to give me the best chance at living…and you want to know how I know that…I know that by looking at you Kopa. I know I would do anything to make sure you lived…that's my job as your mother…and I know your father would do the same for you…."
Their words echoed in his head. They drove him forward. He had the guilt of their blood on his paws. He didn't want to the guilt of putting everything they did for him this night to be in vain.
Kopa was so lost in his thoughts he hadn't taken notice that he could no longer hear the sounds of his pursuer. That was until he reached the edge of the Pridelands that dropped off into a deep rocky slope. He knew where he was. It was the edge of the gorge that led to and past the Western Border.
His body shook from fear and the cold of the rain. His eyes clenched shut as he thought about what to do.
With a quick glance behind him, he could see that he was no longer being followed. Had he imagined it? If not why would they just stop following him?
Sitting there he contemplated going to find Pride Rock. Maybe someone had survived?
But doubt clouded his mind and his heart. Even if someone survived, Zira would not stop until he was dead. That would put more of those he cared about in danger.
And he couldn't do that.
Turning his head the direction he knew Pride Rock to be in now. Kopa felt his heart plummet in his chest.
All of it. Gone.
Kopa felt his heart harden.
SHE had taken them from him…no they ALL took them from him…Zira…her pride…his frie…no, he shook his head. They weren't his friends any longer and had never been his friends to begin with.
"I'm sorry Mom…Dad…I couldn't save you…I couldn't save them…but I will live…"
Yes, he would live. He would live to spite Zira.
As long as he lived, the bloodline of Simba…of Mufasa…would still survive.
And with those thoughts and a hardened but heavy heart the Pridelander Prince turned his back on his home and began to take his leave carefully down the slope. He wouldn't let his parents sacrifice be in vain. He would make sure his family bloodline survived. And one day…maybe…just one day…he would return like his Father before him to show those who took everything from him that they hadn't won.
For the Prince lived.
He lived.
He survived.
"…..you and your families…are hereby BANISHED from the Pridelands!"
Thunder roared and lightning clashed. Illuminating the sky over the heads of the two prides that fell into silence. The Kings Proclamation range out loud and clear to all those who were present to hear it. None dared to speak for none could think of any words to say on the matter. Behind their King, the Pridelanders stood their face's shrouded with hardness hatred. Their eyes bearing into the traitors they beheld in front of them.
Whose own faces held looks of shock. Banished. They were banished. The word repeated through each of their heads. All of them knew there would be consequences to their actions. But that didn't mean it didn't leave them anymore shocked to hear it come from the King himself.
None seemed more shocked and appalled than the one who had plotted the murders. But it wasn't long till that shock turned to anger.
Face twisting into a snarl, Zira began to step toward Simba but a bunch of warning growls from the Pridelanders stopped her from coming any closer. "Banished?!" Snapped Zira, her eyes narrowing her lips pulled back over her teeth. "How dare you think you can just banish me? I was born here in this Pride long before you became King! I was a Queen here!"
"Yes Zira…you WERE a Queen. But you are Queen no longer. My mate was your Queen and you slaughtered her and my cubs like they were nothing!" Simba growled, his claws unsheathed and digging into the mud beneath his paws. He was holding back the part of him that wanted to just rip apart the one who killed his loved ones. But he wasn't like that. He never had been like that.
He knew if Zuri was still alive she would not want him to have their blood on his paws.
But she's not alive…this monster killed her…she deserves death…
Simba shook his head to clear it.
No he would not kill them. Enough blood had been spilt that night in his Kingdom. No…he would do what he should have done in the very beginning. He would banish them from his Kingdom for good. So that he would never have to lay his eyes on them again. "I warned you Zira. I told you what would happen if you stepped out of line. I offered you the chance at staying in the Pridelanders for the sake of your cubs but if you laid a paw on anyone I would exile you!" The King proclaimed.
"I suggest you take this Zira." Sarabi spoke up stepping to stand beside her son. Her face impassive as she held in her emotions. "For the treason you displayed tonight, you should be killed. But then that would make us just like you and that is not what we Pridelander's are. This may have been your home once Zira, but you made your choice in life and now you will pay for what you've done."
"And what of my cubs?" Zira demanded sneering. "You're going to exile them as well? And here I thought your beloved Queen loved them so much she would not want to see them out there all alone in the world where they may die." Zira thought she had them there, she knew these lionesses. They were all a sucker for cubs. Her eyes darted from Simba to Sarabi to the other lionesses. Settling on those who arrived during the end of the fight. For a few brief moments her eyes settled on Sarafina who unlike all the others held a look of smugness that made Zira's sneer deepen.
How dare this lioness be smug about this situation! She thought. Zira thought she should have gotten rid of Sarafina long ago just like she had gotten rid of Mheetu. Zira had no doubt it would have been Sarafina or one of the other lionesses Scar would have taken as a new mate if she hadn't given him a proper heir. For a moment that thought had triggered what Hawa had said. How Scar had really known that Kovu wasn't his but had chosen him all the same. She wondered how her mate had not confronted her on her matter, was he truly that ashamed of Nuka and Vitani that he would take a cub he knew wasn't his as King?
Well it did not matter now. Kovu will be King just as Scar wanted. Zira knew she would do anything to get her son on the throne. Even if it took longer then she wanted. She will see her son on the throne. One way or another one of her own blood would rule the Pridelands.
"We have them safely under watch back at Pride Rock." Simba retorted drawing Zira's attention back to him. "I know my mates wish was to give them the option of staying here where they have a home and I would honour my mates wishes…if I didn't want your spawn anywhere near my family. I accepted the fact that those cubs were nothing like you or their father. But I will not take the chances now. I want you and your cubs out of the Pridelands. No descendents of Scar will walk in these lands again…"
"What about Kovu?" Dotty pushed herself forward past Spotty and Baya who held out an arm to hold her back. "Kovu isn't even Scar's! Do not punish him…don't punish any of the cubs please!" She ignored the snarl that Zira sent her way at revealing the truth about Kovu. But she paid no heed. Her heart went out to not just Kovu but all the cubs. Banish them but leave the cubs alone she mentally screamed.
Looking toward the lioness, Simba could hear whispers behind him from those who didn't seem as shocked to find out that Kovu wasn't Scar's. The King remembered hearing them speak about it around the time he returned to Pride Rock about how many of them had doubts that Kovu was actually Scar's cub.
The King shook his head. "It does not matter whether he is or isn't. He is still Zira's cub. You all made this decision when you decided to attack my family. Now you will never be welcomed in the Pridelands again. And I guarantee you will never be welcomed in any land once word of what treason you've committed here tonight reaches them." The King turned his head toward the others behind him who nodded their heads.
None of them wanted to see what was done to their Pride be done to another. They would make sure to send word out to other prides to warn them. None more than Binti who didn't want the Eastern Pride suffer the same. She already felt bad for those cubs that were to find out that Kopa was dead. She remembered just how easily the little prince had made friends with the cubs beyond their borders.
Zira's followers stared in disbelief at the Pridelanders. To be exiled was bad enough but to have it made sure that they would never be welcomed in any other land was something else entirely. Other than the Pridelands, the Eastern lands and Southern lands they were the only lands for miles around that had any food in order to sustain them.
The only other lands that surrounded the Pridelands that they didn't have to travel far for were the elephant graveyard and…
"And where exactly do you expect us to go?" Zira smirked her eyes bearing into Simba. Her smirk however slowly faded when Simba didn't even seem to think before he answered.
"The Outlands will serve you just fine."
Gasps came from Zira's lionesses. To them they would have rather lived in the elephant graveyard for lease there was more shelter there than there was in the Outlands. Spotty and them thought when the Pridelands flourished once again that the Outlands were what were left over of Scar's old Kingdom that didn't return to its original way. Only to find out the Outlands had always been a desolate place.
"You…you can't…there is very little food and water out there for us adults much less the cubs. They'll starve!" Spotty argued. The thought of going out there, to live in a place of nothing much more than dirt and scorching heat terrified her. But it wasn't herself that she was worried about; it was her sister and pride sisters and the cubs. They as adults could last much longer than little cubs.
"You should have thought of that before you did what you did. Choose the Outlands or travel further till you find a different home. I care not." Closing his eyes, Simba sighed inwardly. He didn't want to do what he knew he had to do. But the lioness he loved was dead, his son's were dead, his one daughter he knew was safe and alive but he didn't even know where his other one was. As far as he knew she could be dead too.
He had lost his family.
Nothing he could do would bring them back.
The only thing he could do was get rid of those who killed his family. And hope he never had to see them again.
"You cannot do this!" Zira snarled stepping menacingly toward Simba only to find her path blocked by Merah and Asali who both bared their teeth at her growling warningly. Simba may not kill them but they would if Zira made any threatening move toward their King.
Turning away from Zira, Simba spoke again. "I can and I have. You will leave tonight and if I ever catch you in the Pridelands again. I won't be so lenient." Opening his eyes, he faced Sarafina, Kana and Binti. "Go back to Pride Rock and have Nuka, Vitani and Kovu brought here I won't have them returning to Pride Rock to collect them."
The three lionesses nodded their heads. Without giving the new outsiders a second glance they turned and began making their trek back to Pride Rock to collect the cubs.
Watching them go, Simba clenched his eyes shut.
Am I making the right decision? Opening his eyes, the King raised his eyes toward the sky. Though through the clouds he could not see the stars that at the moment he wanted desperately to look upon.
Why did this happen Father…why did you all take her from me?
The wait seemed unbearable. To know what was happening out there but having to wait to find out what could have possibly happened to anyone was almost too much her. Nala had fought the urge many times to leave Pride Rock again and go out in search of the others. She worried for them and she worried for her mother. She wanted to hear word that they were alive. She wanted to know if they had found Kopa and Eshe.
But she didn't move. Other than back out into the rain to stand post at the top of the slope that lead to the dens. Ajia had tried to convince her to come in out of the rain but Nala had refused. From where she was she could get a glance of whoever would be approaching Pride Rock. At least from the front. If it was Zira or her pride then Nala could quickly raise the alarm. But if it was one of theirs then she could just call out that their pride had returned.
Her shoulders were stooped, her ears lying against the top of her head.
She could not shake the image of Musa and Zuri's bodies from her mind.
She envied those here who hadn't had the chance to see them.
Zuri was her friend. One of the only friends she had that was a lioness around her age.
Sure she and Zuri's friendship started off rocky. She remembered back to when she first met the lioness who she thought was rude and too over sure of herself even if the lioness had saved her from those leopard brothers. But Nala knew now how the lioness had felt if the long lost betrothal of her mate suddenly showed up out of the blue she would have probably acted the same out of fear.
Then again…closing her eyes. Nala sighed; she did know how that felt. She had tried to deny her feelings for Simba for so long but there was no denying them any longer. But she didn't want Zuri to have to die in order for a chance at Simba. For a brief moment the devastated look on Simba's face at the discovery of Zuri and Musa's bodies flashed through her mind. And her heart clenched for she felt terrible for her best friend to have to go through such loss again.
The tanned lioness opened her eyes again when she caught the sound of paws making their way up the slope. Turning her head to peer downwards her heart leapt at the sight of her mother, Kana and Binti ascending Pride Rock. "Mother…" climbing to her paws, Nala hurried on to meet her mother half way.
Sarafina smiled half-heartedly at her daughter, rubbing her head against Nala's she wrapped her paw around her for a brief moment. Nala gave her mother a quick lick on the cheek before pulling away from her to face the two lionesses. It didn't take her long to know that something wasn't right by the look in their eyes. "What's wrong…what's happened?" she asked eyeing them both.
Sighing, Binti shook her head and began continuing her way up Pride Rock with a heavy heart, followed by Kana. Sarafina just gave her daughter a sad look and began to follow the two with Nala following along side her. When they reached the top they saw that Binti and Kana were already speaking with Ajia, Aufa and Kali. Ajia had Kiara with her. The cub hiding beneath the lioness curled up on the ground fast asleep. It was apparent that neither lioness wanted to leave the princess alone for even a second in fear something would happen when they weren't watching her.
"What's going on?" Nala asked in a more demanding tone this time.
Sharing a look, the three returned lionesses heaved a heavy sigh. The older lioness's face was wary with too many things she had seen in her lifetime. Closing her eyes, Binti started…"The heir of Pride Rock is dead…"
Nala felt like someone had knocked the air forcefully out of her lung.
Kopa…Kopa was dead?
"Are…are you sure…are you positively sure? Did you see the body?" Ajia stumbled over her words from Nala's right. The lioness's eyes were filled with tears.
Did you see the body? Nala repeated in her head. She knew what Ajia was asking. When they had been told that Mufasa and Simba had died, when the pride had gone to see whether Scar was telling the truth. They had only found Mufasa's body; Simba's hadn't been found anywhere. Where they had once thought that scavengers had taken his body it turned out he was truly alive.
She knew by the looks on the other lionesses faces that they hoped pretty much the same thing. That the Prince was alive. But their hopes dropped when Binti shook her head. "Asma said she had killed him and fed him to the crocs…if it's a lie then it's a convincible lie. Because she had blood on her paws that she hadn't before…" the old lioness explained.
"What…what about the other Princess?" Kali asked a small sob in her voice. It was hard to imagine the young prince that they all came to love was dead like his mother and brother.
Kana shook her head. "She's still missing…"
A growl emitted from Nala whose claws scraped the rock beneath her. "And what's to be done with the traitors?" she asked catching the attention of the others.
"Exile." Sarafina answered with smugness in her voice. "Not what I would have given them but the King refuses to shed anymore blood tonight. He has made the decision to exile them from the Pridelands. And is going to make sure word is sent out to all prides for miles around to assure that they are not welcomed in either."
"And what of them?" Aufa asked her voice hardening. She agreed with Sarafina that she thought the traitors deserved more than a simple exile. They deserved to suffer just as much pain as they had inflicted upon them. When Simba returned, Aufa thought the curse that was seemingly placed upon their lands was lifted. But it seemed the Pridelanders were still cursed overall for tragedy seemed to strike around every corner.
The lionesses all turned their heads toward the main den where they caught sight of the three cubs that were housed within in. It seemed that the three had finally fallen back asleep while they awaited the news on their mother.
"They're to be exiled along side their mother. Simba has made it known that no cub of Scar's or Zira's will ever step foot in the Pridelands again." Sarafina explained further. "We are to deliver them."
"I'm coming with you!" Nala spoke up. Stepping forward her shoulders was squared. She wanted to see for sure that Zira left the Pridelands that and she wanted to be there for Simba. She knew the King had high hopes that his other son and daughter were alive. She couldn't imagine what further pain he must be in to deliver only one out of his entire family he had built for himself was still alive.
"No Nala!" Sarafina told her daughter giving her a stern look. She was worrying about Zira retaliating for the sentence given to her. The last thing she needed as her daughter to get involved and get hurt. "You're to stay here…protect the Princess. We'll be back when the King has driven those traitors from our lands."
"I'll stay as well." Kana spoke up, her eyes landing on Kiara who still snoozed away under Ajia's legs. Her eyes were sad but held some hope at seeing the Princess alive. "We didn't see Kumai with them…she could be anywhere. The more here the better." She gave Nala a look which the younger lioness nodded her head. If Kumai wasn't with Zira then where could she possibly be?
That left Nala wondering if Kumai had seen her sister's body yet.
Lifting her eyes to look at her mother Nala sighed and nodded. "Very well…I'll stay…" she said disgruntled.
Stepping toward her daughter, Sarafina hooked her neck around Nala's and licked the back of her ear. "I'll be back. Don't worry…" she whispered pulling away from her daughter. Turning, she followed Binti who began making her way into the den where the cubs were resting.
With a paw, Binti nudged each cub until they groggily opened their eyes and stared up at the two lionesses. Vitani who was nestled in between the two of her brothers quickly climbed to her paws and rubbed her face for a moment before asking. "Has our mom returned yet?" she asked with a yawn. The two male cubs quickly climbed to their paws beside their sister with eager looks on their faces at the hopes that they had news on their mother that they been waiting for.
Nuka quickly looked around the two lionesses with a hopeful look but his face fell into a look of confusion when he didn't see his mother anywhere.
Sarafina didn't say a word as she bent and wrapped her jaws around Kovu's middle and picked him up.
"Hey! What are you doing? Put me down!" Kovu struggled but he saw it was no use. Sarafina wasn't putting him down.
"Hey put our brother down!" Vitani demanded running over to Sarafina and pushed her in the legs with her paws but Binti reached out and hooked the cub with her paw.
"Come with us. We're taking you to your mother." Binti stated firmly reaching down she picked up Vitani around the middle like Sarafina held Kovu. She gave Nuka a look that told the older cub to follow them then turned and began making her way out of the cave and into the rain.
Nuka blinked his eyes in confusion. Catching his brother and sisters eyes that looked back at him just as confused, the older cub began following the two cubs. Closing his eyes for a moment when he stepped out into the rain. He shivered from how cold it felt but he continued following after the two lionesses that began making their descendant from Pride Rock.
His eyes went over to the other group of lionesses that were remaining at Pride Rock. Their faces however were turned away from him and their voices low as they talked amongst themselves. For a brief moment he thought he caught sight of the same darkly tanned cub that was brought back with Nala earlier but the cover was quickly covered from his sight by Ajia who sent him the darkest look he thought he'd seen in some time.
What was going on? Where was his mother? Where was Kopa? Who was that cub? Was his sister right, had his mother and the others gone out to help Queen Zuri? Did something bad happen to his mother, was that why they were taking them to her?
Heart filled with worry, Nuka quickly hurried on down the slope that led from the caves to the ground. Catching himself before he crashed into Binti's hind legs. He could see by the looks on Kovu and Vitani's faces that they must have been thinking along the same lines as he was.
Hurrying to walk along side Binti in a chance that she blocked some of the rain from him when it started swiping sideways from the wind. Nuka fell into silence as he prayed something bad hadn't happened when he took notice they were heading away from Pride Rock step by step.
Please be okay…was the only thought the older cub could muster up quickening his pace to keep along side Binti hoping his mother was fine.
Banished.
They were banished.
Spotty's ears folded back against her head at the very thought of it. She and the others all knew what consequences they would have to face. But it didn't upset her any less. They were being banished and to a place that Spotty had her doubts they would be able to survive in.
The Outlands.
A desolate and hostile place.
Her eyes switched to Zira. She wanted to plead and beg the lioness that they would travel far from the Pridelands and find a new possible home where there would be plenty of water and food. Food enough for them and food enough for the cubs.
"….you will never be welcomed in any land once word of what treason you've committed here tonight reaches them."
The thought of never being welcomed in another pride and land both upset and hardened her. To banish them from one home was one thing but to make sure no one else would ever be welcomed in another was something else entirely. But surely there must be a land out there that another pride has not claimed.
Someplace they could go too. A place where they would be safe and would be able to live without the need for revenge. Surely Zira had seen the cost of what has happened and what it has done to them. She got her revenge. The Queen and cubs were dead.
And so was Hawa…
Her mind went to the reason why they agreed to attack the King. The plan had not gone as she knew Zira would have expected it too. It was just too many against the few of them.
Her eyes went to Baya who was leaning against Asma who hadn't taken her eyes off the ground since she returned from pursuing the Prince. Whom she claimed she had killed. But Spotty had her doubts that Asma would have been able to commit infanticide. But she also knew that it was best not to say something in front of Zira on the matter. Turning her attention back to Baya she remembered what the lioness had said about agreeing with Zira to attack the Pridelanders.
But they had agreed to attack for Hawa and for the cubs.
Hawa she thought sadly. She did not deserve the death she was dealt.
Her eyes had gone the way Kana had gone with Sarafina and Binti. Remembering it was she along with Nala that Zira said she had seen flee from the scene.
They had fought for their place in the Pridelands and failed. They fought for Hawa and failed.
But Spotty, though she dared not say a word of it, still had her suspicions of what was the real cause of Hawa's death. From beside her, she heard her sister growl at the lions in front of them. Her paw went out to try and stop her again from stepping forth like she had when she revealed that Kovu wasn't Zira's. She knew her sister meant well but that didn't mean she thought it was wise.
But stopping her sister from going forward didn't stop her from speaking. "If you're going to banish us for murder then what do you plan on doing with the two in your pride that has caused the death of one of ours?" Dotty demanded. It was apparent to Spotty that her sister believed Zira's words more than Spotty did. Dotty and Hawa had been closer then Spotty had been to the young lioness. And so it affected her just as much as it did Kumai.
Eyes turned toward Dotty with looks of confusion. Simba turned to face them again with a hard face. "And what death would this be?" Simba figured he knew who Dotty was speaking of but why would they think they caused Hawa's death.
"Hawa!" Dotty shouted. "Two of your pride killed her. Nala and Kana. They murdered our Pride sister. Why aren't they too being punished!?" she demanded.
Simba stood there wide eyed. "Nala and Kana have committed no murder. They found Hawa already dead when they arrived."
"Nala and Kana would never murder another…" Dura started.
"Lies!" Dotty cried, tears pouring from her eyes. Spotty draped her arm over her sister and drew her close. Licking the top of her head in an attempt to calm the lioness down.
Simba sat back and watched the lionesses in front of him. Not sure what to take on this. He didn't think for a second that Nala and Kana had been responsible for Hawa's death. Switching his eyes to Zira, he watched the devilish look come over the lionesses face for a brief moment and he figured he knew who the real culprit was.
But as soon as the look appeared the sooner it disappeared.
"I do not believe a word. And I shall not accuse a member of my pride for having done something I know they hadn't." Simba spoke matter-of-factly staring this time toward Dotty and Spotty then Asma and Baya. But judging by the looks on their faces he wondered if either of them would ever believe me. For as far as he was concerned each and every one of them thought the same as Zira.
That Scar should be on the throne rather than him.
"And your accusations do not chance my decision." He said firmly. He watched their faces closely as he said this and watched as Dotty forced herself to look away from him, Spotty watched him with a look of impassiveness, Baya a face of contempt, Asma…Asma had not spared a look at him since she told him she had killed his son.
He didn't want to believe her.
He wanted to believe his son was alive.
He was hoping when Sarafina and the others returned with Zira's cubs that they would tell him that his son had reached Pride Rock and Asma had lied.
And if he wasn't, as soon as these traitors were out of his sight and far out of the Pridelands he would make sure to send out a search party for Kopa and for Eshe. Thinking of his second daughter he felt his heart flutter at the idea of what could have happened to her.
Yes, he would be sure to send out a search party. They had to be out there. Until he knew they were dead he would hold out hope. But that hope he had for his cubs would not chance his punishment for those who took his family from him.
Zira watched the young King as Dotty laid out her accusations of the lie she had told. Watching his face as well as the faces of the others Pridelanders. She feared her plan would unravel but much to her relief it did not. But she still feared there were suspicions amongst her pride. But Dotty it seemed she had on her side. She hadn't seemed to realize how close of friends Hawa and Dotty may have been. But she'd use that to her advantage much like she would use Kumai's despair to her advantage. However she thought back to Kumai, wondering exactly where the lioness was. She hadn't shown herself and that made her wary. Where did that pitiful lioness go off too?
She would have to find her and if the lioness ran off abandoning her. Zira would make sure to find her and punish her like she had punished Hawa. Speaking of punishment. Her eyes flashed to Asma who still kept her eyes on the ground. She looked toward what blood still lingered on the lioness's paws which was being washed away by the rain.
She was angered that the lioness had killed the Prince. She had ordered for the lioness to bring the cub to her. She wanted nothing more than to have Simba watch as she killed the prince right in front of his Father's eyes. Zira still took pleasure at the look on the Queen's face when she killed that other prince. But hearing the Kings anguish was just as pleasing to her. So she supposed she could let Asma get away with it just this first and only time.
Zira's mind went to the banishment that Simba had just proclaimed for her and her pride. An insult she thought. She was born to this pride long before Simba and had been apart of it the entire time while he was off gallivanting somewhere in the Jungles. And here she was being banished by a runaway.
Claws digging into the dirt with a low growl, Zira squared her shoulders seeing the perfect opportunity to attack when the King appeared distracted. When…
"MOM!"
"MOTHER!"
"MOMMY!"
Zira lifted her head at the sound of her cubs. Growling when she saw Kovu and Vitani in the mouths of Sarafina and Binti. "Let my cubs go!" she ordered stepping forward but the Pridelanders breaking out of their stupor of finding out Dotty accusing Nala and Kana of murdering Hawa, only to growl warningly at Zira to keep her back.
Sarafina and Binti kept ignored the growls coming from Zira and instead just placed both Kovu and Vitani to their paws. The two wasted no time in running after Nuka who was already sprinting toward their mother. Each cub had begun to worry for their mother's well being when they noticed how far the two lionesses were taking them away from Pride Rock.
But the sight of their mother put relief in their minds. She was alive! They cheered mentally. But the closer they got to their mother that relief vanished when they saw the wounds Zira was sporting that were hard to hide. "Mommy, what happened?" Vitani cried upon reaching her mother wrapping her paws around her mother's legs. Kovu came to stand beside her with concern on his face while Nuka stood beside their mother with wide eyes at seeing the deep wounds on her sides. None of the cubs had ever seen their mother with so many wounds.
Zira just glanced down at her cubs that were all looking at her with worry. It wasn't something she often saw on their faces directed at her. And for a brief moment an old feeling of love and appreciation for her cubs surfaced to the point that she nearly bent her head to nuzzle her offspring.
But she stopped herself and quickly buried the feeling back inside her while hardening her heart. She would not show such weakness in front of those who were her enemies. Straightening her body, she shook Vitani off her leg and pushed the cubs behind her where they took notice that it wasn't just their mother that were sporting wounds. Baya looked the worst of them next to their mother but she flashed them a wary smile.
That's when they noticed they were missing two lionesses. Kumai and Hawa were nowhere to be seen.
What had happened? Each cub wondered.
Turning they looked at the other Pridelanders who they noticed also had wounds. But it wasn't the wounds that unnerved them it was the dark looks they were giving their mother and the others.
What was going on? Vitani whimpered slinking behind her older brother. She didn't like the looks they were giving them. Her eyes searched the Pridelanders for someone but she saw that she wasn't there. Where was Queen Zuri? Where was Kopa? She thought they had come out to help the royals…why else would Nala have returned with a cub earlier?
So many questions were running through her head and judging by the looks of her brothers they must have been wondering the same thing.
A small whimper slipped past her lips.
Did something happen to the Queen?
Did something happen to Kopa?
Did something happen to Kumai and Hawa?
But why bring them all the way out there to tell them?
Her eyes travelled to the King who was watching them with a sombre look. She couldn't remember the last time she saw Simba look so serious save for the time they had disobeyed being told not to run away from Binti during the hunt they were allowed to watch that time.
Simba watched the exchange of the cubs without a word. For a moment he felt like he was doing the wrong thing. His eyes settled on the cubs. They were still blood to him. His cousins. Well two of them, he corrected himself looking at Nuka and Vitani. But they were his cousins and cubs nonetheless. He wondered if he should give them the option he knew his mate had wanted to give them. To have the choice of staying or going with their mother.
No. He thought bitterly. He shook his head.
They were cubs. They would be bound to choose their mother nonetheless so why take the chance at offering them to stay.
Clearing his head, the King stepped forth keeping himself in between those he now portrayed as traitors and his pride. "You have your cubs Zira. I believe it would be best that you leave without a fight. There is no need for your cubs to get hurt in the process." He spoke clearly.
"You trying to threaten my cubs!?" Zira snarled placing herself in front of the three cubs who suddenly looked confused.
Leave? What did Simba mean by leave?
"No Zira. Unlike you, I would never harm a cub." Simba looked toward the three cubs that poked their heads around their mother's legs. Lifting his head he turned his attention back to Zira. "Now I suggest you leave. Take your cubs and pride and leave the Pridelands for good. Like I said before if I ever catch any of you in the Pridelands again. I will not be so lenient."
"L…Leave?" Vitani's quivering voice sounded from behind her mother. The little golden blue eyed she-cub slinked her way out from behind her mother. "Why…King Simba why do we have to leave…?"
"Queen Zuri said male cubs only left when they were older!" Kovu stated.
"Yeah…we're not old enough to leave…" Nuka protested. Neither cub asked why the pride had to leave with them. Maybe it was part of what happened when a male cub left? Neither of them really knew of what happened during those times. Their mother and the others never spoke of it and Zuri never mentioned it again. She just would smile and say they had nothing to worry about for some time to come.
Simba gazed at the cubs. Perhaps it seems the cubs hadn't had anything to do with the planning. They seemed clueless as to what was going on. But it didn't matter he would not change his mind. Closing his eyes he spoke firmly. "Your family from now on are banished from the Pridelands for crimes committed against the royal family." There was no point in lying to the cubs as to why they were being forced from the only land they had known as their home.
The cubs were suddenly taken back when it was announced to them that they were being banished.
Banished? Why would the King banish them?
What crimes committed against the royal family?
Nuka squared his shoulders planting his paws firmly on the ground he placed a stubborn look on his face. "No! We can't be banished…Queen Zuri would never allow this…she and Kopa are our friends…" he stumbled for a moment trying to keep himself from getting too emotional about the subject.
"Yeah we demand to speak with Zuri and Kopa!" Kovu agreed stepping up beside his brother.
Neither cub seemed to notice the sadness that flashed over each face of the Pridelanders before the King spoke. "The Queen and Prince are dead."
It was like their whole world suddenly unravelled in front of their eyes when Simba's words sank in.
Dead…
Zuri and Kopa were…
Dead…
No…No that…that couldn't be…
"No…no….NO!" Vitani wailed while her two brothers just stood there dumbstruck at the thought of their friend and beloved Queen being dead. Each of them saw Zuri as an Aunt. She was loving and caring to them. She took care of them and taught them in ways their mother never did. Tears began to fall down their faces as no one seemed to be denying what the King had just told them.
The cubs whipped their heads around to look at each lion present but none dared to look them in the eyes. All save for their mother who just gave them a cold look. But that look wasn't enough this time to stifle Vitani's loud wailing cries.
The golden cub sat on the muddy ground, her eyes closed as she sobbed at the thought of her friend and aunt being dead. They had just seen Kopa that very afternoon. Was he attacked when they left him to go back to Pride Rock with their mother? "No…No!" Vitani shook her head vigorously. "They can't be! They can't be!"
Spotty finally releasing her sister made her way toward the cubs not being able to handle the cries. She knew they would be devastated but seeing the cubs this upset broke her heart and she knew it broke the hearts of her pride sisters as well. Whether or not it broke Zira's she could not tell by the emotionless mask on the lionesses face.
The male cubs sat with their shoulders stooped and heads bent as they silently cried as the news finally began to take its toll on them. But none cried more then little Vitani who was letting her emotions be known. Wrapping her paws around the she-cub, Spotty drew her close lifting her eyes to give the King a dark look for telling the cubs what had happened right after they were being told they would have to leave the home of their birth.
Simba though shook his head trying not to appear as though the cub's cries bothered him. When in fact deep down they were doing exactly that. "They deserved the truth." Was his only answer to the looks Zira's lionesses were giving him. Turning his face to them, he growled low. "Now leave my lands." His eyes went to Durra and Ita who nodded their heads they would see that Zira left for good.
They knew Simba would do that but they also knew the King wanted to get back to Pride Rock and check on his daughter.
Moving to position themselves between Zira and their King. Ita growled "Better leave now Zira. Take your cubs and leave these lands!"
Growling, Zira stepped forward but Baya stumbled forward and placed her paw in front of Zira giving her a stern look. "You have the cubs here Zira…" she tried to speak firmly even when Zira turned her heated gaze on her with a snarl. "They need a mother…they'll get hurt if we fight anymore…" she lowered her voice and added. "Live to fight another day." She hoped that would convince the lioness to leave with them.
Baya did not like having to leave the land she had come to call her home. She did not like that Simba was banishing them to the Outlands. But like Spotty she was hoping they could convince Zira to let them travel far from the Pridelands but Baya had her doubts. Zira wanted the Pridelands for her own. She worried just how far Zira's need for revenge went.
Surely the lioness's revenge would not go as far as to making them live in the Outlands. Well it wasn't like they would be welcomed in any of the Prides that lived around the Pridelands.
Live to fight another day…Zira repeated in her mind. A smirk came over her face. Yes, live to fight another day she agreed. Looking toward Simba who along with the others of his pride who were already making their way back to Pride Rock. Zira laughed inwardly.
Oh yes. She thought. This isn't the end of it Simba. You can banish me from my home. But I will reclaim it one day. One day when my little Kovu is big and strong. He will be the King! My revenge against you is just starting…
Casting a look at Ita and Durra she smirked at the two lionesses who eyed her warily half expecting Zira to suddenly attack the both of them. But instead Zira just turned and bent her head, snatching Kovu up around his mid-section and began making her way toward the Outlands that spread far into the Western border of the lands. Zira would be lying when she said she didn't know the Outlands. She knew them just as well as the Pridelands.
She knew exactly where to go for her pride to live.
The Outlands not her first place she would want to live but it would leave them close to the Pridelands. She knew many of the places to sneak into the lands to hunt. And it would keep them close to Simba so that Zira would be able to afflict her revenge when the time came. She would raise her son to be a bloody thirsty killer and when the time came he would lead them all into battle and the final battle for the Pridelands will begin.
And they would be the victors. Zira would see that they were.
Behind her, Vitani who was still crying over the fact that two of those she loved was dead and gone, was picked up by Spotty while Dotty carefully began to lead Nuka as Asma and Baya took up the rear. None the wiser of the future plans their opposed Queen was thinking of in her mind that would one day decide their fate entirely.
The walk back to Pride Rock fell into complete silence. For none could think of anything to say to express what they were all feeling from the events of that night. Their enemy had been banished but what they had all been hoping to stop had come too late. What they had hoped to return to Pride Rock with their Queen and royal cubs, they were now returning with heavy hearts.
None more than the King himself.
Simba's shoulders were stooped heavily; his head hung low, his mane covering his face. The King was trying his hardest to keep his emotions in check but only by a very thin thread.
In his mind he was reflecting the night. The images of his mate and sons body floating in his mind. He would have to go out and collect his mates and Musa's bodies. But first he wanted to see Kiara. He wanted to see if Asma lied and his son really made it back to Pride Rock. But he knew that was a fleeting hope. But he could not help but think it. If he wasn't then he would send out a search party as soon as the rains stopped. It wasn't just Kopa out there; it was his little Eshe as well. He had to find her just as much as he had to find Kopa.
When Pride Rock loomed overhead, Simba quickened his pace making his way up the slope to where he could hear talking coming from the main den. When Sarafina and Binti left with the cubs the others who remained behind had congregated into the much larger main den to await the return of their Pride.
The talking ceased when the King took the final step over the edge. He paid no heed to the greetings and the questions that were being sent his way. His main goal was not them at the moment. It was the little she-cub that was curled up at the paws of Nala who stepped back to allow her friend to take his daughter.
Nala watched with saddened eyes while Simba lifted Kiara up by the back of her neck and carried her to the very back of the cave where a small platform rose off the floor of the den. It was where the royals always slept. Each lioness watched their King settling down on the bed he shared with his family. His back to them while he cradled his daughter in his paws.
The youngest lioness felt her heart going out for her long time friend. She wanted to go comfort him but she didn't go to him, instead she just hung her head and went to sit with the rest of the pride who all gathered together to mourn the losses they suffered that night.
It was Sarabi who was the one who approached her son. Climbing up onto the platform she moved to settle herself down in front of him and watched her only son cradle, nuzzle and lick the one remaining cub he had with him. Her eyes went to settle on her little granddaughter who had awoken at the feeling of her father bathing her. Her bright wide blue eyes taking in the sights before her landing on Sarabi who smiled watery at her.
Bending her head she nuzzled the cub with her nose and purred while the cub mewed and batted at her nose with her paws. The cub was full of innocence. Something that made Sarabi smile for she knew it was something that they needed. A little bit of innocence. Because although Kiara was affected by loosing her mother and siblings that night she still held the innocence of someone who didn't know what was going on around them.
"Simba…"
The King lifted his eyes to look at his mother who reached over to brush some of his soaping mane from his face. "Please…please don't tell me everything will be alright mother…I can't handle that right now." Lowering his eyes again, he lowered his head to lay it down beside Kiara who mewed and butted her head against her father's muzzle.
Sighing, Sarabi closed her eyes not sure what to say to her son. She wanted to say it would get better but she knew better than that. She may have had her pride to look out for when Mufasa and Simba were gone just like Simba would have. But she also knew it was hard to just forget the pain of loosing your loved ones in such a way. Reaching to lift her sons face up to face her she gave him a soft motherly look. "No Simba…I can't tell you what…for now, you have every right to grief. But know that Kiara is still here. Love her Simba. Love your daughter and teach her. Raise her to know what her mother was like and what her brother was like. Raise her to know what her mother sacrificed for her. If you don't want her to truly know how they died. You don't have to tell her. Not until you believe she is ready to know. That's all the advice I can give you right now."
Leaning over, Sarabi gave her son a lick and a nuzzle then gave her granddaughter the same. Cooing her for a moment then stood and went to join her pride sisters whose soft cries were starting to fill the cave.
Listening to their cries, Simba reflected what his mother just told him. Turning his head to gaze down at his daughter who stared back at him with those eyes.
Those beautiful blue eyes.
Eyes that reflected his mates.
His mother was right. He still had Kiara and he would have the others. He would never stop searching for them. But for right now, he had his daughter. His little princess. Whose eyes were like that of her mothers. A small smile tugged at his lips.
At least he had some part of his mate.
Bending his head down the King nuzzled his daughter who mewed and purred at the attention she was receiving from him. "Don't worry Kiara…I promise you'll always know what your mommy did for you…you'll love her even though she's not here with you. She was the best…and I'll make sure you know all about her…as long as you love her…she'll never truly be gone from you." He whispered licking the top of her head watching the little princess yawn her tiny tongue flickering. Eyes drooping.
"Rest my little princess," Simba tucked his daughter into his side and wrapped his entire body around her protectively. Watching his daughter yawn once more before curling up nuzzling against the fur of his stomach and within seconds was fast asleep again as if her father hadn't disturbed her rest.
The King felt his heart go out to his daughter.
She may as well be the only thing he truly had left of his family with Zuri. And gazing upon her the King made his vow to her. That nothing would ever come to his daughter. He would protect her with his life for now she was his life. He would live to make her know that he loved her and how much her mother loved her.
"I swear Kiara…I'll always protect you. I won't let any harm come to you. I swear on your mother's soul…I won't ever let anything ever happen to you…no one will EVER take you from me. I swear it."
With that the King lowered his head to rest it along side his daughters body while behind him the soft cries of his pride continued well into the night as each pride member mourned the loss of their royal family and sent up prayers to the Kings and Queens of the past for guidance in their darken days.
Next chapter will be the epilogue. Then onto part 3.
Please review.