Author's Note: I'm back yo! Sorry for the wait but I appreciate your long-suffering and patience with this amateur. Love you guys!
After bidding her ex-lover
goodbye, Zira carried the cub back to outlands.
Tis a shame that such a beautiful young thing has to grow up in such a place, but my Kovu has to so all cubs should have to, Zira thought to herself. The cub was still asleep and she actually really appreciated that. Her leg had never been the same since her fight with… Ugh Zira don't even say her name. Her jaw clenched a little tighter and the cub gave a little whimper. She quickly loosened her grip forgetting that Jasmine still dangled from her lips.
The squirming stopped as the young cub went back to a peaceful slumber; Zira sighed in relief and continued walking.
They finally reached the outlands and Zira checked to see if her lionesses were all asleep before creeping back to her cave. She set the small girl down and was careful not to wake her own children in the other side of the cave. Jasmine shivered a bit before balling up and relaxing again. Zira took this time to really look at her.
Her beauty was beyond belief, she realized. She had a pale brown coat but not nearly as pale as Nala's. Her ears were slightly pointed just a bit to make her look edgy almost. Looking closely at her Zira saw that she had two black slim lines just over her right ear; she also had a tear stained cheeks proving to her new caretaker that she had been through a lot because of Tyga and she was scared.
Wait till she meets Kovu and she will very much be alright, Zira was convinced as she settled into her paws. She took one last glance at the new member of the pride before closing her eyes.
Zira woke to the rising sun that began to beam on her face; she turned slightly letting the dawn heat her fur. She stretched and yawned then sensed a presence. She turned to see the young cub already awoken sitting where Zira had left her to sleep, head hung low just looking at her paws. She was silent and it almost looked like she was sleeping sitting up, but Zira could tell she wasn't.
"Early riser," Zira noted. The girl stayed quiet so Zira continued, "That's a great trait to have considering every member of the pride has the responsibility of training and it happens to start as early as sunrise."
She stayed silent.
"I hope you understand what you are going up against, the first day will definitely not be easy. I have a gut feeling though, you will learn quickly; or perish trying," she threatened.
Zira got the slightest bit of reaction when she saw the girl's jaw twitch at that last statement. At least I know she can hear me.
"You will train with my children and you will be taught the motives of our intense ways. I don't know what your uncle Tyga tells told you but you will also be partnered with a very special person. Did he tell you that?"
The girl stayed silent. Zira growled and stomped her paw down in frustration. "ANSWER ME!"
The girl flinched slightly before Zira spotted two tears fall from her closed eyes. She sniffled and nodded. "Yes."
Zira was impressed with the softness of her voice, it sounded sweet and loving; she almost felt a bit guilty for yelling at her but those feelings were quickly buried but the task at hand. "You are not a princess here, and you will not introduce or treat yourself as such."
The girl's shoulders drooped and her mouth opened and closed slightly. No one has ever asked her not to refer to herself as what she was. She was the princess of a vast and wonderful kingdom and today she was being stripped of that title.
"Don't be nervous my dear, anyway you will enjoy him quite much and you will serve a great purpose for him."
The girl shuffled her paws in place in a nervous way almost as if she wanted to ask about it but was scared to be scolded.
Excellent she should fear me, Zira thought, "He is my son, and future king and you will meet him soon. In the meantime, training starts in one hour and on usual days will end when you complete your tasks. You will dine with the lionesses but don't expect them to catch your food. You are responsible for that. Do you know how to hunt?"
She hesitated slightly then answered, "I do not."
"Hm, well that's an inconvenience but you will learn or you will starve," Zira said. "These lands are obviously different from your home but for your protection I believe Tyga thought it'd be best you stayed with me where you will be watched over and protected."
More tears fell. "Jasmine, are you ready?"
The young cub's back straightened and her head came up with it, she opened her eyes and Zira saw the most dazzling cerulean sapphires she had seen before. Her next statement would haunt her for the rest of her life, but it proved to Zira that this girl was the perfect choice for her son. In a strong voice she said, "I'm ready."
Jasmine followed close behind Zira has they walked outside into the scorching Savannah heat.
How could I have not realized how hot it was when I was home? She wondered. They walked over where 20 or so lionesses were stretching and really trying to look alive. Zira roared loud and it startled Jasmine a bit but it made the lionesses wake up and pain attention with tired eyes.
"You will run 25 laps around the perimeters! Spar until sunbreaks over the south mountain and then have a water break in pairs. The crocodiles are looking fierce lately so be on the look. Anyone who trespasses on the Prideland boundary will be left to suffer at her own consequence," Zira said. No one seemed surprised, all except Jasmine. 25 laps?! Plus she didn't know how to fight how is she supposed to hold her own? "Dismissed!"
The lionesses left the midst of Zira and walked to the end of the caves and began a trot to the border. "Sonya! Not you, I need something from you," Zira ordered. A dark brown lioness came to where Zira was standing bowed.
"What is it?" she asked.
"We have a new member," Zira said stepping to the side to reveal Jasmine standing nervously behind her. "This is Jasmine, she will be staying with us for a while and I want you to show her the ropes and introduce her around. You are excused from your training for the next few suns while you complete the task; I request that you report to me every night. You are responsible for her safety. "
Sonya gasped a little when she say the beautiful young cub and felt sorry that she was stuck there just like the rest of them. "I'd be happy to."
She smiled at Jasmine and the young girl grinned small at her. Once they walked away together there was a pause before Sonya spoke again. "You are just the cutest thing," she laughed.
Jasmine grinned sweetly at Sonya, "Thank you."
"How long are you here for?" she asked.
The young cub frowned and turned her concentration back to the ground shaking her head, "I don't know. I am orphaned and my uncle took me in, but there has been trouble in my lands." Jasmine shrugged as she walked still not looking up, "He sent me here for my protection, said I would meet a lot of great friends and one day, I can come home."
Sonya's heart broke at the story of the young cub and felt pity for her. There were obvious lies that were told to her weaved throughout the story whether the cub knew that or not. To think such a beautiful young thing will grow up without a mother and father to help guide her. Being there was not for her bettering; if anything it will drive Jasmine to do something wrong. The outlands were no place to raise such a little lady. Jasmine had tears in her eyes so Sonya knew not to pry any further. They walked to where the lionesses were resting before a big day of training and cleared her throat gathering their attention.
"Everyone, this is our new member. She is young, strong and very smart at such a young age," Sonya leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Why don't you tell them your name, sweetheart."
She hesitated for a second and then looked at everyone with her head held high. "Hi, I'm Jasmine."
"Zira has put us all in responsibility to ensure her safety," Sonya said seriously. "Any harm done to her will be released ten-fold on us. We are the only thing she knows now; treat her with kindness and respect."
Everyone looked hesitant for a second but then someone came forward. The scruffy little lion that stood just a bit taller than Jasmine was came and held out a paw in greeting.
"Hi, I'm Nuka."
Jasmine smiled.
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