Here's a fic for any of you who are interested in such things. And it's going to be about Simba! Yeah, my first fic starring Simba. Kinda strange for me, I know. But you can't not love Simba.
Also, if anybody thinks they have a good idea for a tlk fanfic, be sure to PM the idea, and if I like it, I'll put it on my 'to do' list, and eventually, I'll write it! And if you're just a guest, leave a review on any one of my stories with the idea.
AND Also, there's a good deal of Simba explaining things in this chapter, but it's necessary because there was a time skip. And it's all very rather important,
so do pay attention.
And there's a very important Author's note at the end.
Anyways, be sure to leave a review! And enjoy the fic.
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Simba's POV
As Simba stood at the highest point in the Graveyard, he stared out at all the bones and dust and let out a long sigh.
They had now, officially, been living in the Graveyard for three years. He, Taka, Sarafina, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed had all grown up completely, everyone basically looked as he remembered them. Taka creeped him out nearly every time he looked at him, and he kept assuming Sarafina was the same Sarafina was the one he knew in his own life. The hyenas now looked just as menacing as he remembered them, just like when they had originally tried to kill him during his first trip to the Graveyard.
It was actually kinda spooky, really.
Uru visited Taka as regularly as she could, which usually meant at least once a week. Taka clearly relished her visits, every time she came it always began with the two of them rubbing noses and their sides together. Taka had once told him he missed sleeping with her every night. And with how he'd grown up, Simba didn't doubt it.
Uru also clearly treasured her son. Taka's favorite food was wildebeest, and every visit, without fail, Uru brought him a wildebeest haunch. She always fussed over how he was doing, making sure he was getting enough to eat in the Graveyard, and bothing Hatari about all the dust. Taka loved the affection his mother showered over him, spending hours talking to her and otherwise loving her.
But when he wasn't deeping his bond with Uru, Simba usually saw Taka with Sarafina. Sarafina came nearly every single day, and it was no mystery why. She was very clearly smitted with the orange lion, in a way that Simba had only seen before with Nala and he.
But that didn't stop Taka from alleviating his boredom with the hyenas. Sarafina usually tagged along with their antics, as their group explored deeper caves, and knocked over larger and larger bones. Just yesterday, Simba had very nearly gotten in trouble with Hatari when Shenzi had persuaded him to make a domino out of ribcages. He, Taka, and Sarafina had knocked a long line over, and in the process nearly flattened Hatari. It was probably only Shenzi's presence that kept Hatari from giving them all gashes in her fury.
"Hey Simba!" Came a voice from behind him.
Jolting a little in surprise, Simba turned around to see Taka trotting up to him, a cheerful smirk on his muzzle. He now looked exactly like Scar had, the only thing that kept Simba from jumping out of his skin every time he saw him was the fact that Taka was almost always smiling. Scar had certainly not smiled too often, and certainly not with simple happiness.
Although, it could certainly be said that over these past three years, Simba had noticed a small, and gradual change in Taka's demeanor. While still usally happy, every time Uru or another animal brought up Mufasa in a conversation, Taka always began to frown. Now, when someone mentioned Ahadi he did this anyway, but that he did this with Mufasa rather… disturbed Simba.
Now, he wasn't frowning with hate. Simba had watched him rather carefully, and it was rather some sort of look of discomfort. Like a bad memory of some sort. Of course, it didn't take a lot of thinking to figure out what this bad memory could possibly be. According to Shenzi and Taka, it had been Mufasa who had told Ahadi about Taka's relationship with the hyenas. So of course Simba could see Taka feeling some sort of betrayal. The way Simba understood it, even though they didn't know each other very well, Taka and Mufasa loved eachother.
But what Mufasa had done…...
The one time Mufasa had visited Taka in the Graveyard, a few days after the exile, he had sort of stuttered out a frantic, yet half-baked apology. It did not sound at all like the calm, collected and in control Mufasa Simba had grown up with. It was a bit disconcerting in fact, to think that his own father had been the one to tattle to Ahadi about Taka.
But technically, this wasn't his father. This lion hadn't yet matured into Mufasa the King, he was still Mufasa the growing lion. This view point was rather necessary for Simba to shake off his doubts about his father.
Nonetheless, Taka's apperant discomfort with his brother bothered Simba. He knew Scar had always hated Mufasa, but he'd never known why. But now… Simba saw perhaps the beginnings, the foundations of a hate that would manifest into an unspeakable act of horror. Taka was still far cry from Scar, and Simba still had no idea how such a radical change could come about, but he suddenly felt it more and more likely that it would happen.
After all, why else would he have been sent back here other than to conquer the fear he still possessed of the sharp eyed lion? To see the story behind the twisted soul? Surely, Taka was going to become Scar, somehow. And now he saw Taka's happy attitude being twisted by his own family member. It didn't feel right…. What if this was where it started? The hate between the two of them?
The thought made Simba's stomach turn over.
"Hi Taka." He managed, shaking off his reverie.
"What's up?" Asked Taka, trotting up to him.
"Nothing much." Admitted Simba, as he glanced back over the rotting expanse. "Just….. thinking. About all of this. You know, normal stuff."
"Well, Sarafina and mom are here, so I just thought I'd get you to say hello." Replied Taka, swishing his tail back and forth. Simba managed a smile.
"Oh yeah, of course I'll say hello! When don't I?" He replied, standing up from his perch on the cliff.
"Not ever, I suppose." Replied Taka, flashing his teeth in a grin as they ran back down the hill. When they reached the bottom, they found Uru and Sarafina waiting, having just arrived.
"Hey mom!" Said Taka happily, as they went up to eachother and touched noses.
"Hello little one." Smiled Uru, gazing at her son warmly. "I brought you lunch. Your favorite." She said, as she oushed forward a wildebeest haunch with her paws. Taka looked down and grinned.
"Gee, thanks mom!" He exclaimed, before grabbing the meat between his teeth. Sarafina trotted up to him, smiling awkwardly as he ate.
"Uh… hi Taka." She said, leaning down to het in his face.
"Hi Fina!" He replied, his mouth full of food. "What's up?"
Sarafina smirked. "Nothing really, I just came to see you. My faaaaavorite lion." She rubbed up against his side, making Taka blush. Simba couldn't help but grin, Sarafina had recently been doing her best to get up close to Taka. The two lions were best of friends by now, but neither had made any sort of moves. Much to Sarafina's chagrin.
"Well… thanks." Grinned Taka, as he swallowed his food. "How are you?"
"I'm perfect." She said confidently. "Always have been. Anyways, what's in the program for today?"
"Today? Uh…" Taka glanced around. "I haven't spoken to Shenzi yet… uh… hey Simba, do you know what we're doing today?"
Simba hopped down to them, shaking his fully grown mane majesticly as he flashed his teeth at Sarafina. She crinkled her nose at him, but he couldn't help himself. He hadn't been with Nala for years.
"Well, we've got a few options." He started, sitting down in front of them. "One, choose a random cave and get lost in it. Two, sit around and talk about whatever we feel like talking about. Or we could do three, which is sneak into the Pridelands and see how far we get in before we chicken out."
"Option one." Said Taka immediately.
"Option three!" Retorted Sarafina, growling at Tala playfully.
"Oh… I don't know, I'd rather stay here…." said Taka, frowning with discomfort.
"Why?" Asked Simba, as he and Sarafina stared at him. "Don't you want to see the Pridelands again? You haven't gone back into it once yet." Taka looked away, staying silent. Simba crinkled his nose. For whatever reason, Taka had never reentered the Pridelands since his exile. Of course, an exile demanded exactly that, but the hyenas had to sneak in there all the time just to eat! Simba couldn't see any reason why Taka couldn't do it either.
"Yeah Taka. It'll be fun! You'll get to feel the grass underneath your pads, you'll get to feel the sunshine on your… rather majestic… black mane of yours, it'll be good for you." Grinned Sarafina. Taka pawed at the ground for a moment, then got up and walked over to Uru.
He whispered something to Uru that neither Simba nor Sarafina could hear, and Uru licked his head comfortingly. He bowed down and Uru whispered something into his ear, as she groomed the top of his head. Taka then turned around and trotted back to them.
"I uh…. I just think it would be better if the guy who was exiled didn't break the rules… that's all" He said, shrugging. Simba exhaled slowly.
"That's all right… I guess." Replied Sarafina, as she and Simba glanced at eachother.
"What cave are we going to explore then?" Asked Taka cheerfully. Simba blinked.
"Oh yeah…. I'm sure Banzai's found a new cave by now…. what say we go ask them what we're doing?" Suggested Simba.
"Are they around?" Asked Taka. "I haven't seen them up yet."
"You know Shenzi's always up first thing in the morning." Said Simba. "Banzai's the only one who likes to sleep in, and Hatari's beginning to crack down on that. Because Ed and Banzai are Shenzi's friends they've been given a bit of leeway, Ed especially, but Banzai has work that needs to be completed for the clan."
"It's all hunting anyways I'll bet." Yawned Sarafina.
"Don't worry, he's free today." Added Taka. "Shenzi made sure of that, I spoke to her last night."
"Then let's go find them!" Said Simba, as he turned around.
"Too late!" Announced Shenzi, as she jumped down from a rock she had been perched on. Banzai and Ed slid down after her, smirking at the lions who looked them over in surprise.
"How long have you guys been there?" Asked Sarafina, looking them over.
"Onwards of five minutes. I'm surprised you didn't smell us, especially since Banzai's smelling especially stinky." Grinned Shenzi, sitting down in front of the lions.
"I'm not that smelly!" Retorted Banzai, as he went to give Shenzi a shove. Shenzi jumped out of the way, and whacked Banzai upside the head.
"I'd say you are." She grinned, as Banzai flopped down onto his side. "Anyhow, you were right Simba. We do have a cave to explore. Wanna come?" She asked, wagging her tail.
"Of course we do!" Said Sarafina, trotting up to her. Taka grinned and sat up. "Where is it?"
"Behind this hill. We've been in it before but not as deep as we think it goes…. so we're giving it another shot."
"Sounds good to me." Grinned Taka. Shenzi nodded and turned around, Banzai stumbling after her. Taka, Ed, and Sarafina trotted after them, and Simba got up to follow.
"Wait a moment." Said a soft voice from behind him. Simba flicked his ears as he turned around to smile at Uru.
"What is it?" He asked, sitting back down as his friends walked away. Uru shrugged.
"Tell me how Taka is doing." She asked. Simba chuckled.
"Queen Uru…. you ask me that every time you visit."
"Because I'd like to know." She replied, smirking. "He is my son, after all. I've a right to know."
"Of course I'll tell you." Nodded Simba. "Well… what is there to say? Nothing's changed since last week…. He's eating well, thanks to you, he's always got a playmate thanks to Shenzi and Sarafina… he makes good use of his time, at least in terms of thinking…."
"Does he tell you what he's thinking?" Asked Uru, looking Simba in the eye.
"You mean does he confide in me? Yeah, I think so…." He replied. Uru stayed silent for a moment, thinking.
"Simba…. does he ever tell you what he thinks of his brother?" She asked. Simba gave a little but of a start.
"You mean Mufasa? Uhm….."
"I've asked him about it before...but he always seems to clam up when I mention Mufasa. It's bothering me, I feel like he's bottling up a problem. And it's never good to bottle up your feelings, I've had personal experience with that. Because they could rush out and in their hurry…. they could hurt someone." She said, sighing.
"Well Queen Uru…. Taka loves you more than anything. Probably more than life itself. If he hasn't told you, there's no way he's told me." He said, shaking his head.
"Oh well." Sighed Uru. "I had to ask. I'll try again with Taka later too. I'm just worried he doesn't like his brother as much as he used to….. it's never good if siblings dislike eachother."
"Believe me Queen Uru…. I've got firsthand experience with that one."
"Yes… it's an ugly thing." She shrugged. "Incidentally, Mufasa's come down with some sort of sickness."
"Really?" Asked Simba, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Ahadi had it last week, and it seems Mufasa caught it too. It's bedridden him, he can barely stand for coughing."
"Oh…. I hope he gets better."
"Same here." Smiled Uru. "But Ahadi lived through it, and I don't doubt Mufasa will too. They're both strong lions."
"That they are." Nodded Simba.
"Taka's plenty strong as well." She added quickly.
"In his own way."
Uru glared at him for a moment.
"Anyhow, I do believe you've got friends to catch up to." She said, flicking her tail.
"Right away Queen Uru." Grinned Simba, nodding to her as he turned back around. "It was a pleasure speaking to you."
"And you as well." She added, as Simba trotted away. Before Simba made it out of earshot, he heard her quietly add something.
"My sweet little Taka…. finally grown up."
He smiled upon hearing that, but didn't react. Uru really loved her son. Simba ran up the hill, trotting after where he had last seen his friends. He was fairly certain which cave they had been talking about, but you could never be too sure when it came to all the nooks and crannies and ravines that filled the Graveyard.
As he slid down the side of some rocks, he saw the trio of hyenas walk out of a cave.
"Hey guys!" He called, jumping up next to them. "What's up?"
Shenzi made a face. "Taka and Sarafina began kissing each other!"
"Say what?" Asked Simba, pausing in surprise.
"Well, first they gazed into each other's eyes for a good long while." Snorted Shenzi. "Then they began to lick each other's muzzle and just…. yech. We left immediately."
"Really….?" Asked Simba, suddenly very interested.
"Yeah, really. Blech, love's disgusting. Who needs it?" Asked Shenzi, pulling another face. "Right Banzai?"
"Uh…. yeah…. who needs…. love…." Stuttered Banzai, as he gazed at Shenzi.
"Exactly. Now come on, we're leaving those two lovebirds behind. Let's go Simba." She said, as she trotted past him. Banzai and Ed followed her immediately, with Simba bringing up the rear, an amused smirk on his muzzle.
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Important author's note.
Well, this note is important for two reasons. Reason one, I'd like to use it to clear up any confusion in this story. Reason two, I just saw Broadway's Lion King last night!
Anyways, first off, if anyone is confused by the proceedings of this story, tell me now, and I'll explain it in the very next chapter. We're getting close to the end, so I'd like to help anyone who would like to know more about what exactly is going on with this time skip. So if anyone needs to know anything, ask me in the review.
And onto my second point, Broadway's Lion King was awesome! Hundred fifty dollars for a seat, but man was it worth it! The music was phenomenal, the set pieces were mind blowing, and the choreography was amazing! Just everything about was awesome in every way. I dare say Scar is even better as a human! If ever you get the chance to go, take it!
That's all I've got to say. Cya in a week! Or maybe sooner even. I really feel like writing Lion King after last night.