Chapter Six: A Conversation With A Cloud.
Trigger Warning!
This chapter contains depictions of abuse and some blood. It also talks about murder and death a lot. If you don't vibe with that shit.
Dip out now!
As the sun started to set upon the Pridelands, Jifunze made his way back to his den. After spending the afternoon with Tiifu and Zuri, chatting about the Backlands and meeting a strange zebra named Thurston, Jifunze was ready to go home and go to sleep. However, before he could make it into his den, the young leopard was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Hey, Jifunze," Kion called out, approaching Jifunze's den from the direction of Pride Rock.
"Oh, Kion," Jifunze exclaimed, shocked to see the prince out by his den, "Why are you here? Did I do something wrong?"
"No, you didn't do anything wrong," Kion replied, "I was just checking to make sure you're ok. You have had an exciting day."
"Oh it was certainly exciting," Jifunze said somewhat sarcastically, "But I am fine, and my leaves are fine too.."
Kion let out a slight chuckle, "They're called bandages."
Jifunze looked to the ground, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"Oh that reminds me. Rafiki told me that you'll be getting them off in a week."
"Oh, well thanks for letting me know," Jifunze replied, feeling awkward tension starting to rise.
Kion, avoiding the awkwardness that was crushing Jifunze, checked out the area around Jifunze's den.
"You know, you chose a really nice spot to make your den," Kion said as he started walking around the area.
"You really think so?" Jifunze perked up, feeling less awkward.
"Yeah, it's nice and open at the front, but there's also a lot of tall grass surrounding it. It's nice and secluded, but also not cramped."
"Well, thanks. I really only care for the den under the tree."
Kion chuckled again. Jifunze didn't know why, but he felt good about making Kion laugh so much.
"Well, I should probably get going," Kion said as he began to make his way back to Pride Rock, "Gotta get up early for morning patrol."
"Um, yeah. I guess I'll see you around," Jifunze said as he waved goodbye.
"Yep, see you around, Jifunze." Kion then bounded off, back to Pride Rock to get a good night's sleep.
And with that, Jifunze decided it was time to go to bed, crawling into his den as the last little bit of the sun set below the horizon, though it would still be some time before its light fully faded. However, Jifunze didn't mind, as his den was dark enough to allow the young leopard to drift off into sleep.
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WJifunze startled awake, why he did not know, but when he looked around he found himself not in his den. No, instead Jifunze was in what appeared to be a large field underneath an acacia tree, he could even see a few more dotting the field. The area felt quite familiar to Jifunze, and while at first he didn't know why, a voice resonated from the darkness around him, reminding him of where he was.
"Koooooosaaaaaaaa." The voice was rough, and loud, and it was, unfortunately, familiar to Jifunze. It was the voice of his father.
Jifunze froze, "No, it can't be," Jifunze whispered to himself, "I escaped. It wasn't a dream. I got away, I know I did."
"Kosa," His father shouted again.
It was then that Jifunze turned his head to where the voice was calling out from, and to his dismay, it really was his father, shambling towards him. Jifunze shot his head to the ground, covering his face with his paws as best he could.
"Look at me you little rat," Jifunze's father stated as he got right next to Jifunze.
Jifunze just whimpered, still trying to hide his face as he knew what was coming.
"Oh, so you think you can ignore me? Then ignore this." Jifunze then felt the all too familiar feeling of his fathers claws digging into his hide. And as the blood trickled down Jifunze's leg, tears did the same on his face.
"Are you crying? You little Kosa. You don't even have a good reason to cry," Jifunze's father said with contempt and vitriol before slashing Jifunze's side once more.
That time Jifunze let out a small yelp of pain, even though he knew what would happen if he did.
"Did I tell you to make a noise, Kosa?" Jifunze's father then struck him twice more shouting "Did I?" each time. Jifunze then started to cry uncontrollably, tears pouring down his face as he began to sob.
"Just shut up already." Jifunze's father then struck him again, and again, and again, and again, to the point that Jifunze lost count.
"Y'know, I just figured out how to shut you up permanently, you little Kosa."
Jifunze finally uncovered his eyes, seeing his father's paw raised up high. Right above Jifunze's head. However, Jifunze realized too late what his father was about to do, and before he could move out of the way, his father's paw came down upon Jifunze's head.
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Jifunze startled awake once more, clutching his head as scrambled backwards into a corner.
"Is this it? Am I dead?" Jifunze thought to himself. But as his eyesight returned to him, he found that he was back in his den. In the Pridelands. He was safe. It was only a nightmare.
But Jifunze knew he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep so easily. Not after that. So he decided to stretch and step out of his den, looking up to the sky.
"Cloud Friend? Are you there," Jifunze called out, waiting patiently.
Suddenly, the clouds began to swirl together, shifting and growing as they collided, and while most other animals would have ran in fear, not Jifunze, for he had seen this plenty of times before. Eventually the clouds ended taking shape into something more recognizable, forming the rough shape of a leopard.
"Of course I am my friend," The leopard said, his voice was slightly deep, though it wasn't booming, more soothing and strong, "Though I believe I asked you to call me Amani."
"I know, I just kinda. Forgot," Jifunze said, looking to the ground in embarrassment.
"Well, it has been some time since we last talked," Amani replied, though he didn't sound angry or disappointed. Moreso just, stating the facts.
"Two and a half weeks to be a bit more precise," Jifunze replied, returning his gaze to Amani as the massive leopard let out a large and hearty laugh.
"Yes, you always have been one to count it out, haven't you," Amani said, "Though I must ask, why has it been so long?"
"Well, my family was moving a lot. And then my father wanted me to go to Ngazi Cliffs with him, so we spent most of our days walking. And so I didn't really have the energy to talk at night."
"I see. Though now I must ask, why did your father take you to Ngazi Cliffs?"
"Well," Jifunze was dreading this question, hoping not to relive the experience, "He tried to kill me."
"What!" Amani sounded enraged, as if he expected anything better of Jifunze's father, "What happened!?"
Jifunze took a second to answer, having flinched from Amani's shouting. Thankfully Amani noticed, "I'm sorry my friend. I did not mean to shout."
"It's fine," Jifunze replied, "A-a-anyways. My dad had brought me to Ngazi cliffs, and we spent about a week waiting there, until a storm rolled in. I guess he decided to use the cover of a storm to hide what he was doing, because once a storm arrived, he led me to one of the cliffs, and tossed me over it. Right into a river."
"Well, thankfully you survived," Amani replied, a look of disappointment on his face, "And while I would say I'm surprised, you know I'm not. But what happened after you fell into the river?"
"I floated along the river for the rest of the night, until I made it to a calm stretch and dragged myself out. That's how I ended up here."
"And where is here," Amani asked.
"The Pridelands. I crawled out near Mizimu Grove. Then I was found by this really nice mandrill named Rafiki."
"Wait, Rafiki?" Amani interrupted Jifunze.
"Do you know him?"
"I have not spoken to him myself. But I know of him," Amani replied, "Anyways, please, continue."
"Um, right,"Jifunze said, getting back to his story, "Well Rafiki let me stay in his tree, and helped me with my wounds. Then I met the royal family, and they let me live in the Pridelands. Then I met the Lion Guard, and one of their members showed me around and let me live under this tree."
"I see," Amani replied, "Well it seems you've had quite the time here in the Pridelands."
"I have," Jifunze said, "Oh, and also, Rafiki gave me a name."
Amani then laughed once more, "That's quite the big thing to mention so casually. Well then, let's hear it."
"Um, well. It's kinda odd. Promise not to laugh," Jifunze requested of his friend.
"Of course. I promise," Amani replied.
"Well, I'm Jifunze now," Jifunze said as he braced himself for Amani to burst out laughing at him.
However the laughter never came, and when Jifunze looked to his friend, he saw that Amani was deep in thought.
"You know, I think I knew someone by that name," Amani said, still thinking hard.
"Wait, what?" Jifunze was kinda shocked. After all, not many people would be named learn.
"Yes, I remember now. They were an elephant. Quite a wise one too. Very good friend of mine," Amani said as he broke out of thought.
"Wow. I didn't know I shared their namesake."
"Yes, it is quite a respectable name to have," Amani replied, "And it is quite fitting for someone like you."
"Thanks Amani," Jifunze replied, bracing for Amani's next question.
"Though now I must ask something else," Amani said.
There it was. "And what's that," Jifunze asked.
"Why did you call upon me? You have rarely ever called for me just to check up, so I must ask. Why?"
"Well, the real reason is because," Jifunze looked to the ground embarrassed, "I have a nightmare."
"And you wish to talk about it," Amani said as an understanding smile spread across his face, "Well, as always, I'm all ears."
"I ended up back in the Backlands," Jifunze started to describe his nightmare, "My father was there. He attacked me again, upset that I was ignoring him, and that I was crying. Then it ended with him striking my head. I'm pretty sure he killed me."
And while Amani's form was rough, Jifunze could tell there was a grim expression across his face, "I'm sorry you had to go through that Jifunze."
"Thanks," Jifunze replied, "I'm just. I'm scared. What if my family finds out I'm alive. What if they come for me? What if they hurt the people here to get to me? What if-"
"Jifunze," Amani stated, stopping Jifunze's spiral, "Please calm down. You can't focus so much on What If's. If you think about the future too much, you are going to miss the present."
Jifunze let out a small chuckle, "That's exactly what Rafiki said to me."
"And he was right. Listen, I know it's scary. And I know you're worried. But that doesn't mean you should worry so much about what might not happen," Amani said, helping to comfort Jifunze, "Yes your family might come for you, and yes your family might hurt others. But it is not guaranteed to happen. And for now, you are safe."
"You're right," Jifunze replied, "I shouldn't really worry about it."
"Good. Well, it has been nice talking to you again, Jifunze, but I think it's time you went back to sleep."
"Yeah, you're right about that too," Jifunze replied as he turned back to his den, "Good night Amani."
"Good night Jifunze." And so Amani's form dissipated, turning back into the evening clouds.
And with that Jifunze crawled back into his den. Curling up in a new spot upon the floor, and slowly drifting back into sleep. Wondering what his life was to be like here in the Pridelands going forward, as his first day was truly over. Though he did know one thing was for certain. He was going to be very happy here in his new home.
Author's Note: Wooo boi, this chapter was a doozy. Mostly because I had to restart halfway through the original draft. You see this was supposed to be called "An Afternoon With Advisors" But I gave up on that concept after I wrote myself into a corner like five times. Just couldn't figure out a way through the middle of that story so I scrapped it. Though I might redo it if I get the chance. Anyways this chapter was actually going to be Chapter Seven, but as said before that fell through and now it's Chapter Six. And Boi What A Chapter It Is! We finally get to see a hint at what life was like for Jifunze in the Backlands. And it looks like our boy has been a bit of a fibber. We also get to meet Amani, an old friend of Jifunze's. And if you're wondering how Jifunze can speak to Amani? Well, that'll be explained a good ways in as I have a lot of plans for this story going forward.
Anyways, I'll see y'all later, whenever I update this story again. Bye!