Later that evening the north pride's cubs were eating the scraps after the adults had eaten.
"Natty, have you been introduced to Fuzzy?" Siakam asked.
"Yes Siakam, remember we all got acquainted earlier before the meal," Natty snipped.
"But you weren't there. Just like the hunting party," Omos said.
"Boys, remember this when a girl wants to know something, she finds a way," Natty said.
"So Fuzzy you have any memory of where your from?" Uzuri asked.
"No, I just remember waking up here this morning. I wish I did though, but I'm thankful that you all have been so kind to me," Kopa said.
"Don't sweat it Kopa. Your one of us now, but in order to really earn my father's affection, you have to earn it," Kifa said.
"Okay what do I need to do?" Kopa asked.
"For starters never look him in the eyes. He's the king of this pride, nothing infuriates him more then someone thinking their on his level," Kifa said.
"Alright, but you're his son. Doesn't he hug you or anything," Kopa asked.
The cubs went silent for a moment looking at Kifa knowing what he's been through.
"Let's just say Fuzzy, my father isn't like normal parents. He demands submission and respect. And if it's not given he'll force you…. To respect him," Kifa paused trying to keep his emotions in check.
"Teta wasn't the first alpha of this pride," Winda the lead hunter said walking up on the conversation alone.
"My daddy," Uzuri said.
"Rumi was the love of my life. He wanted to lead our pride as nobly as he could, then Teta's bloodthirsty eyes came here. He took Rumi down and banished him, he brought along Kove that sorceress can't be trusted in my eyes," Winda said.
"Miss Winda, I don't understand how the pride works around here. I don't remember where I'm from, but I do remember I had a dad and mom who were the leader of the pride. They didn't lead out of fear, but love and respect," Kopa said.
"Things are much different out here little one. Word of advice from an old soul to a young one. Cherish the time you have with everyone," Winda said.
The next morning started as Teta roared to have the pride come out to him. It was his way of making sure everyone in the pride was there.
"Alright now that everyone's here I have an announcement. Kove will be doing one of her rituals today, so no one shall disturb her, understood?" Teta commanded.
"Yes Teta," Winda said.
"Also I need you lionesses to show our new guest the ropes of how we do things around here. If Fuzzy is to stay here then he must carry his weight no one will do it for him," Teta commanded pacing in front of the line of lions.
"Father, what if he goes through the test," Kifa asked.
"No, he's too little Kifa for that," Teta said.
"Um, Mister Teta whatever test it is I'm willing to do it. If it means I can stay here," Kopa said.
"You're a brave cub, perhaps too brave. Let me ask you something Kopa, your going to get older one day aren't you?" Teta asked.
"I hope so, I'm pretty sure that's how the circle of life works," Kopa said.
The older lionesses grimaced when he said it knowing that Teta wouldn't like those words said.
"Fuzzy, a little advice from the leader of this pride. The Circle of life is a myth. The past leader of this pride grew weak because of his belief that we are all connected. But lions are king of the savannah and will always be king. My only question to you Kopa is when you get older will you try and replace me?" Teta asked sternly.
Kopa was afraid that he might respond wrong, but his face didn't show fear.
"Well answer me," Teta commanded.
"No Teta! I promise I won't. You took me in when I had no where else to go, why would I try to challenge you?" Kopa asked.
"Good answer, but we'll see as time goes by if you hold to that promise. Now Siakam, Omos, Kifa you cannot help him on the test. He must pass it on his own, and while the lionesses hunt I think I may come watch," Teta said.
"Teta! You cannot put this cub through the test he'll be killed," Winda retorted.
"Winda, do I need to teach you submission, again!" Teta whispered getting close to her as she growled.
"You may not like me Winda, but you will fear me," Teta commanded.
Winda walked away with Uzuri to their den.
"Stubborn old lady. Maybe she might need some more lessons! At high noon Kopa will go through the test, Siakam explain to our new friend what this test is. I have some things to attend to, Bibi meet me in my den in a moment," Teta said walking away as Bibi knew what that meant although she didn't mind being the object of Teta's affection.
"What is this test?" Kopa asked.
"It's what Teta puts all us cubs through, Kifa went through it about a month ago his daddy had to save him," Siakam laughed.
"Yeah I felt the embarrassment of my father afterward," Kifa said.
"I understand that Teta is the leader, but he's got a temper," Kopa said.
"The test Kopa is this, there's a river near here full of crocodiles. There's a bush on the other side with a pink flower, you have to cross the river and bring the flower to Teta," Omos said.
"Oh dear, Crocodiles?" Kopa said in fear.
"Not just any Crocodiles, the devils of the depths. Nile crocodiles," Winda said returning to the cubs.
"What am I going to do?" Kopa asked.
"You must pass the test Kopa in order for you to live here. Me and Bibi had to pass the test as well, but no cub has," Winda said with a tear rolling down her face.
"My brother was forced to take the test," Uzuri said.
"That stubborn old bastard had my son killed all because he can't get his bloodline out of his head. It's a miracle Siakam and Omos have survived this long," Winda said.
In Teta's den after him and Bibi had slept together.
"Bibi, let me ask you something," Teta said.
"Yes Teta, you want another round?" Bibi asked.
"In a moment yes, those two boys of yours why do they have stripes on their back?" Teta asked.
"Oh, well before you came and lead our pride, I was a um," Bibi said.
"Slut? Slept with every big cat that had a penis?" Teta asked.
"Pretty much yes, and one night I slept with many different ones, one was a tiger," Bibi said.
"You dirty bitch. You slept with a tiger! So those boys are Tion's?" Teta said enraged.
"I believe so," Bibi said.
"Well allow me to make sure that you have lion cubs next," Teta said as he mounted her again.
It was time for Kopa's test. Above him was a cliff where Teta and the other cubs were watching Kopa.
The water crashed onto the bank as Crocodiles from miles away were battling for dominance.
Kopa gulped as he felt a strange but comforting wind blow on his face. He couldn't help but think that something or someone was with him as he was going to face this test.
"Go on Fuzzy! We don't have all day," Teta yelled.
Kopa took a step into the water, as it was a bit warmer then it should be. He began to swim across as he sensed that he was being watched and not just by the lions above him.
"I hope Kopa's going to be okay," Omos said.
"It's a coming of age test, if Kopa survives this, he can survive anything." Teta replied.
Kopa swam as fast as he could trying to make it to the other side of the bank. When he stopped as he heard a hissing sound he knew what it meant, that a crocodile was near. Kopa did something that was odd to Teta, he went underwater to see if in the murkiness of the water he could spot the stalking reptile. Kopa couldn't see anything in the muddy water. He was half way across the river. This is one of the shortest area's of the Nile river as Kopa swam harder and harder he felt as if his strength was growing as he swam. Kopa got to the other side of the river unharmed to the delight of the cubs watching, as Teta watched closely.
Kopa ran to the bush after taking a breath he figured out that if he stuck it in the hair of his mane that as long as his head was above the water he could breath freely. With a pink flower in his mane which made Teta and the cubs chuckle, Kopa stopped at the bank seeing a gigantic 15 foot crocodile staring right at him.
"Oh no! Dad look," Kifa said seeing the crocodile.
Teta recognizing that this crocodile was no ordinary croc. This was the king of the dragons the ruler of the river. Teta remembered as a cub seeing his mother drowned to death by this same crocodile. Teta stood up about to go help Kopa but he quickly laid back down, knowing that Kopa would have to survive on his own.
The crocodile kept his eyes on Kopa as Kopa stood in fear. He heard in a whisper in the air as if it was a voice.
"Remember who you are Kopa," Mufasa's voice rumbled but Kopa didn't know what voice it was he thought it was Teta.
Kopa crouched down confusing the crocodile, as Kopa ran towards the croc. As the cubs and Teta watched in horror knowing that the jaws of the croc could kill him instantly. The croc opened his mouth as Kopa jumped on his head and ran across his back angering the crocodile. There was two other crocs near the king croc. Kopa saw them and just like his sister unbeknownst to Kopa did he ran across the backs of the crocs across the rivers as the others tried to catch him. Kopa reached the other side as the cubs cheered and Teta knowing that it was an opportunity to display dominance over the crocs rushed down to Kopa. Kopa plopped down on the shore as one of the crocs charged the bank, but Teta roared at the croc to stay away from Kopa.
"Teta! Get away from the cub, he's disrespected the king of the Nile," The king croc said.
"You devil get away from a member of my pride, unless you want to deal with all of us," Teta said.
"Ah. Aren't you that little cub who stood on the bank watching his mother being dragged underneath the water," The king croc replied.
Teta scratched The crocs nose as he swiped him. The croc lunged at Teta but he got away, as they hissed and roared at each other Kopa went up to the cubs.
"This isn't over Teta!" The king croc said.
"NO it isn't. Cause I have to avenge my mother you son of a bitch," Teta said.
Later that night at dinner the cubs told the story of how Kopa ran across the crocs to their mothers.
"My, my Fuzzy. It was very brave of you to run across the back of a croc," Winda said.
"Thanks, but I have Teta to thank. Without him I would've died after reaching the other side," Kopa said.
"Well me and that devil have unfinished business. But I must say Fuzzy, I'm impressed with you today, you've earned my trust for now. Just don't lose it," Teta said going to retire to his den for the night.
As Teta went to his den Kove called him into her den.
"Teta I know where Kopa is from," Kove said.
Authors Note
Sorry to my readers for the late post, a lot has gone on in my life the past two weeks. Also I felt it was necessary to have Teta a bit darker and more sexually driven in this chapter to portray the type of character he is. I apologize if this chapter made anyone uncomfortable.