The Trials of a Lioness
Disclaimer: I don't own Lion King or any characters connected with Disney though Hakika and Kafil are mine.
Chapter 2
A New Princess
It had been three moon cycles since Hakika saw Nuka, and she rarely left the safety of the den. Her brother declared she was not to leave the safety of Pride Rock without a escort. And, so here she sulked pleading with the spirits to change her fate.
"Hakika, come and eat." her mother ordered as she stood at the entrance of the den looking into the dimly lit cave.
Her daughter's only reply was a short growl and a glare from her glowing eyes. Sarabi sighed as she left the cub to wallow. Turning to join the pride in the gazelle they had hunted and dragged back to their home. Nala glanced over to the sad mother queen as she sadly shook her head. Another, meal the young lioness would not join the pride. Looking to Simba as she let out a sigh of sadness she was nearly ready to give birth, yet Hakika refused to have anything to do with the pride. She refused to speak with anyone and Nala could tell by the way, Simba's eyes glowed with worry that he was afraid that she might turn down the same path of her father.
"Maybe, we should have Rafiki talk with her." Simba suggested looking into the darkness of the den.
"What, will Rafiki tell her that we haven't already tried." Nala replied causing Simba to shrug 'it was worth a try.' he thought
"Zazu" he said causing the Hornbill to fly onto his shoulder.
"Yes, Sire?" the large beaked bird asked
"Please, ask Rafiki to come here." the young King said and with a bow Zazu flew off to the Baobab tree where the old baboon lived.
The sun was setting when Rafiki, finally made it to PrideRock. "What can I do for you, King Simba?" he asked as he leaned on his staff.
"I need you to talk to Hakika, she won't come out, and I don't know why she won't have anything to do with us." Simba began but was interrupted when Nala nodded her head with a muttered 'Simba'
The king turned his gaze towards the den and standing there with two trails of crystal blue tears running down her face as she glared at the pride. "You don't know why?!" she asked bitterly
"Hakika..." Simba began but was cut off by the glare he was receiving
"Shut, up I don't want to hear anymore lies from you." Hakika said keeping her eyes on the larger male.
"Zira killed Kopa." Simba said trying to reason with the younger cub
"And, you sent three cubs to their deaths." Hakika roared as more tears fell onto the stone below her paws. "So tell me brother are three cubs' lives worth your revenge."
The pride looked from one sibling to the other, uncertain of what was to be said next. Simba cleared his throat as he looked to the ground, he knew that giving Zira the choice to keep her cubs was a mistake that his sister would never forgive him for.
"That's what I thought." she sneered before pushing past the other lionesses still in shock from the cub's harsh words.
Walking down the stone ramp, her tail flicking in wrath as she continued on her track. The grazing animals sensing the tension radiating off the cub made a path to keep clear of her anger. Simba didn't bother to order a lioness to follow her as his eyes followed the speck that became his sister.
"She is going to be just like her father." he grumbled
"Simba!" Sarabi said coming out of shock of her youngest cub's outburst. "Don't you dare compare her to Scar."
"But, mom she..." and yet again he was silenced with a glare
"She is in pain." Sarabi sighed deeply,"she lost everything within a few moons the father she looked up to, her best friend who she might never see again and the nephew she adored." the once mother queen explained with as much patience as she could.
"But..."
"Think about that Simba." Sarabi ordered before trudging after her daughter.
"Oh..." Nala said with a small gasp causing Simba to turn from the spot his mother left and to his mate worry expressed over his face
"Nala?" he questioned
"Simba, it's time." his mate replied with a smile as the pride started to talk excitedly, each wondering if it was to be a girl or a boy and what names they thought of for the newest addition to the pride.
Sarabi sighed as she spotted her daughter sitting on a rock, trying to see the outlands hoping to catch a glimpse of her friend.
"You had a lot to say back there." the mother said as she took a seat next the young cub.
"Hmm.." Hakika snorted as she pretended to ignore her mother.
"Hakika, it is not wise or healthy to keep these emotions bottled up." seeing as she was not getting any reaction from her daughter Sarabi continued "I know your upset sweetheart, but to blame your brother is not fair to him or yourself."
"You always told me life's not fair." Hakika replied as she wiped at her tears in anger
"I did, and that is true but give your brother another chance he wants to make it up to you." Sarabi said
"I don't know if I can." Hakika replied darkly
"It will take time." Sarabi said with a sad smile.
"Queen Sarabi, Queen Sarabi." Zazu's voice fluttered though the air causing the mother and daughter to stop their conversation.
"What is it Zazu?" Sarabi asked looking at the tired Horn bill.
"Queen Nala has given birth, you must come quickly." the Horn bill explained as he waited patiently for the Queen
"Hakika, are you coming back home?" Sarabi asked turning to the statue like cub who turned to glare at the bird.
"Do, I have a choice?" she replied sarcastically as she fell in step with her mother who let out a soft chuckle.
Nala happily cleaned the newest member of the pride, there was no doubt that she would give her life for her cub. Simba sat next to her happily eying the female cub love glowed in his eyes as he nuzzled Nala.
"Oh Simba Nala she's beautiful." Sarabi said as she climbed up the rocky ramp, Hakika kept her eyes on the stone as she followed their mother.
"Thank you." Nala said as she turned her eyes back to the new born cub.
"What's her name?" Sarabi asked as she took a closer look at her newest grandcub.
"Kiara." Simba said as he puffed out his chest with pride. "Hakika, would you like to see your niece?" he asked his tone was covered with kindness but the younger lioness glared at him before reentering the den. Sarabi, and Simba sighed as they watch her ignore the pride once again.
TBC...
An Adventure for the Ages