TLK2 - Kovu's Queen Chapter 5
Author's Note: Alright on with the story, this is kind of short chapter but whatever... Enjoy!
Mkali sobbed.
Hasana had shuttered as the life seeped slowly from her best friend; she swiped her face wiping the rest of the tears from her muzzle. She picked herself up and put on a brave face for the shocked Mkali and they ran before Zira had time to think.
She didn't stop to say 'Goodbye' to all the friends she and Kaona made; she just ran and ran faster. Hasana didn't stop to get choked up about the loss of her cubhood friend, or to prepare Mkali for the journey ahead. She didn't even ponder whether or not she could handle such a terrifying job of raising Mkali as her own.
What am I thinking? I can't do this, she would wonder as her legs pumped West.
Hasana, you are my best friend in the entire Savannah. I don't trust anyone to do this for me, but you.
Kaona's words rang in her eyes and replayed in her mind over and over again. She didn't have a choice... she had to do it, for Kaona. She stopped fighting the inner war and focused on breathing. Hasana was determined to make as much distance between them and the outlands.
Hasana thought about what Kaona said before she met with Zira.
All I have to do is send for a hawk and they will meet us halfway...
A hawk? How in Hades was Hasana supposed to find a hawk in the middle of the Outlands? Hasana had only been to Still-Waterlands once before when she was young, she had no idea where to go though from the Outlands but her gut told her to go West so that's where she went.
She was running along the Prideland border without going beyond it and continued through the Outlands till night fell. Hasana was exhuasted but she continued through until the sun finally went down.
Fate was in her favor that night it seemed, because there was a small cave that seemed to be waiting for a tired lioness and her godcub to sleep in. Hasana glanced at the dark nightsky and the constellions showed her that it was a few hours since the sun had setted.
In the time she had ran, she probably ran the entire distance of the Outlands. She wasn't sure where the Still-Waterlands were but she was happy to be out of the sweltering heat of the Outlands. The night air was warm and unoverwelming and relaxed Hasana as she slowed to a walk as she went to the cave.
The cave was moist and smelled like grass, and it made Hasana sleepy. She scooted deeper into the cave and settled down on the rocks behind her. Hasana set Mkali down gently and laid down next to her. Mkali sniffled a few times before Hasana gathered her into her paws and held her close.
"It's okay Mkali," she whispered softly in her ear as she cried. "I'm here."
Mkali broke down and sobbed into Hasana's fur as they both cried.
"M-my ma-mama, she's gone Hassy," she shook. "Isn't she?"
"Shhh," Hasana said holding her close. "It will be okay. Kulala msichana wangu mdogo."
Mkali took a deep breath and settled into Hasana's fur and was out like a light before long. Hasana looked outside. She had no idea where they were and Kaona was gone. She looked down at slumbering Mkali and licked her forehead.
"It will be okay..." she whispered.
The next morning, Hasana woke up from the sun streaming through the cave enterance. She took a deep breath and settled calmly back into her paws more comfortable than how she was. Then she felt a cool breeze hit her face rustling through her fur. She felt more relaxed than she had in a long time.
Hasana felt herself dozing off again before sudden realization hit her. Her eyes flew open and she looked to her side and saw it empty. She jumped to her feet and circled the cave finding herself alone. Hasana felt herself panic as she looked around.
What am I doing, this cave isn't that big?!
she freaked. That's when she heard it.
There was a heart breaking scream that came from outside. Hasana sprinted outside following the sound.
When she stepped outside of the cave she got a good look at her boundaries. There was soft grass underneath her paws that wet her fur with cool and fresh dew. There was a smell of clean dirt in the air and the distant sound of running water.
This didn't slow her down though. "Mkali! Mkali!" she yelled against the wind that was rushing past her ears. There was a loud roar that she knew for a fact didn't come from Mkali.
She followed the sound and sprinted faster towards the roar. Hasana ran past a little creek and ran into a field of tall green grass. When she made it on the other side, she finally saw Mkali. She had her back to her and she was face to face with a tall lion with strong muscled legs. His mane was dark brown and a dirty yellow pelt that was almost brown. He had soft light blue eyes that looked feirce staring down little Mkali making her shake.
Hasana jumped from the tall grass and she croached down in front of Mkali. She bared her teeth and roared at him.
The sudden jump caught the lion off guard and Hasana took this as an opportunity to lounge for him. She pinned him in one quick motion but the shock was short lived because when he realized he was pinned he flipped them over and the momentum made him on top of her.
Hasana couldn't let that happen so she planted her hind legs on his stomach flipping him over her head. She jumped back on my paws crouching down protecting Mkali. The lion got up and stood tall getting a good look at Hasana.
"What is your business here? You're trespassing!" he growled.
"We're just passing through," she said dripping with venom. "No need to attack an innocent cub. She didn't know any better."
The lion looked taken back and looked shocked. "I would never..." he stopped and cleared his throat. "I apologize. We are known for taking refugees from distant lands and I shouldn't have scolded you."
She blinked.
"Or your cub!" he added quickly flashing a nervous grin at her. This was the first time Hasana had heard anyone refer to Mkali as hers, and with Kaona gone it didn't feel right. In fact it made tears spring to her eyes. Unfortuantely, the lion saw this aswell and his eyes widened. "I'm so sorry! I didn't realize, uh-" he stammered.
Mkali and Hasana shared an amused glance and tried to contain their straight faces.
"It's okay," Hasana said stopping the male from making a complete fool of himself. "We've had a long journey and we arrived late last night."
He nodded understanding. "Well please join my pride and I in the caves. Breakfast will be caught shortly and you can explain."
Hasana looked unsure, "I don't know."
"Please? Just to make up for the fact that I made a fool of myself twice since I met you almost 5 minutes ago." he asked nicely. Hasana laughed.
"Okay," she decided. "Maybe for a few hours, then we should continue on." She gestured for Mkali who scambered quickly by her legs as they began walking.
"Where are you heading anyway?" he asked.
"The Still-Waterlands," she said. His face lit up.
"You're in luck Miss and little Miss," he joked. "You're standing in what is the Still-Waterlands."
Hasana's eyes widened as she looked around. "These lands are amazing, it's been a long time since we've stayed in such a beautiful place. And you said other refugees flee here?"
"There are many travelers who settled here because the land is so vast and the food is many," he explained. "Plus the water here seems endless."
That's what people said about the Pridelands before Scar got ahold of them,
Hasana thought as she walked.
"There are plenty of places to stay too," he seemed to be trying to concinvce her. "The king is wonderful too!"
Hasana raised her eyebrows. "Really?"
"Yes," he exclaimed. "And quite handsome. You kow with his soft thick mane and soft pelt." He said circling her while seemed to be admiring himself at the same time.
That's when she finally got it and smirked, "And does this thick maned, handsome King have a name?"
He smiled. "You first."
He's flirting...
Hasana decided as she pushed down the fluttering feeling rising in her stomach. As a cover, she smirked again.
"Hasana."
"She arrives first," he recited the meaning. "Beautiful name for a beautiful lioness."
She was losing the battle with the fluttering. "I believe it's the ruggedly handsome King's turn." He chuckled deeply before bowing low.
"Diallo."
Author's Note: Okay, so this maybe the last chapter on this POV (like with Mkali and Hasana) for awhile. After this the story should pick up a little more. I'm working on stuff, so be patient with me. I want it to be great, and I don't think you guys would like sloppy work. It just isn't done!
Also I said I would put this up in like chapter 1 but forgot to add it in, so here you go. These are the descriptions of the characters and their name meanings:
Kaona: (Kay-own-ah) (I made up her name and really couldn't find a meaning to it) Kaona is a feisty, tough and really beautiful lioness that doesn't like being under the rule of Zira but accepted being a subject of Scar. She has nothing really against Simba except the fact that he banished her while she was still pregnant with her cub Mkali. She is a pale tan color with a tint of orange to her and her eyes are a sapphire color.
Hasana: (Ha-Sauna) (Made up her name too but it actually has meaning to it) her name means "she arrives first" in African. Hasana doesn't mind being under Zira and she is a faithful follower of Scar. She is Kaona's best friend. She has a dirty goldish brown pelt and fiery redish orange eyes.
Mkali: (Ma-Kal-ee) Her name means fierce in Swahili and she is the young child of Kaona. She is only 3 months old and her father was a rogue. She has a light brown pelt that looks almost orange. She has her mother's strong sapphire eyes.
Sonya: (San-yah) Her name means wise and is actually a Greek name. She just planned a minor role in chapter 1, kind of like an extra. She has dark brown fur and a creamy underbelly. Her nose is pink and her eyes are gold. She is a loyal Scar follower but doesn't care for Zira much thinking her plans are reckless.
Maybe you can picture the characters a little bit better now :) Don't forget to review!