Chapter 8
Of Brothers , Sisters and other bonds.
"W-what?" Said Kuhisha , still somewhat confused.
"Was she serious?" He turned to Simba.
"I think she was. What did she mean by the traditional way ?" Simba replied.
"I'm not sure if i want to know." Said Kuhisha.
"It's probably gonna be some girly bull***t. Y'know hug it out infront of our parents or something dumb like that." He went on.
"I'm not gonna hug you. I had enough problems with patting you on the back just a few minutes ago." Said Simba
"Maybe it's..." Kuhisha started but was interrupted by Igunya who had been awoken yet again.
.
"Maybe it's time you to go to sleep. You will see what the traditional way entails soon enough." She said growling with impatience.
"But you're awake again, can't you just tell us know?" Asked Simba
"Yeah, that would make things a lot easier." Reasoned Kuhisha.
" I could, but I won't , because I want to sleep now and you should too." Igunyas voice grew more forceful.
" But..." Protested Simba.
"Go to f***ing sleep , right now or I swear, I will hold you two in a tight embrace you won't forget,
while forcefully singing you to sleep." She growled.
This wasn't a hollow threat. It was a last resort, reserved for only the most stubborn of cubs.
It was degrading , annoying and just something that most cubs wanted to avoid at all costs.
"forceful singing? How is that supposed to work? " Inquired Kuhisha.
Igunya rolled her eyes. "You'll get to hear lullabies until your a** is wast asleep. Simple as that." She said with an odd pinch of menace.
"lullabies? That's ridiculous, we're not little cubs anymore" Said Simba in protest.
'Sure as hell could've fooled me.' Thought Igunya.
"Yes, lullabies. 'Thula baba, thula sana' for example. So I advise you to lay down and close your eyes now ! Cause I want to sleep."
"But that's bull-..." Started Kuhisha only for Igunya to start singing.
"Thula thul, thula baba thula sana; thul' u bab'uzo fika eku seni;" She sang, with a river like voice that somehow still convayed a no nonsense atitude.
"Alright, geez. I'm closing my fu**ing eyes" Sighed Kuhisha.
"thula ,you're still talking, kukh'in kanyezi ziholel' u baba, zimkhan yisela indlel'e " Said Igunya and kept on singing.
Kuhisha just gave an annoyed growl as an answer.
Simba knew this song. His mother had sung it to him too many times to count.
He hated to admit it but it did calm him down considerably.
Using a lullaby as a threat was something that just a few months ago wouldn't have made sence to him.
It was only lately as he felt the urge to be treated more and more like a grown up.
He wanted to be seen as independent, he wanted to show his leadership skills and he even wanted to show how much of a good hunter he was.
Though in truth he had to admit that he still felt lacking in all of these qualities.
Overplaying insecurities with arrogance made him feel better. This made him to a certain regard more similar to Kuhisha than he even knew.
Kuhisha was insecure as well, but his ego wasn't hurt as easily and the burden of future responsibility didn't weigh on his shoulders with such severity.
Right now though. Simba forgot about this weight as Igunya's voice made him drift into Morpheus arms in no time.
The next morning came quickly and without much fanfare.
"Rise and shine." Igunyas voice rang into Simbas ears as he slowly awoke.
"I've already informed your parents. The traditional ending ceremony will commence once we're back at pride rock." Said Igunya , now a lot more cheerful than last night.
She started to slowly make her way towards pride rock.
"Ugh. First she tortures us with Lullabyes and then she makes us get up way to early. I was really f***ing happy once she'd stopped singing. " Complained Kuhisha as he slowly got up.
"Yeah, totally." Said Simba, more reluctantly.
A few minutes later, the group arrived at pride rock.
Mufasa, Sarabi and Umasu were already expecting them.
"You are not to speak with your parents until the ceremony is finished. Understood ? Asked Igunya.
The two cubs nodded.
"Now walk to the tip of the presentation platform." She ordered.
The two cubs did as they were told.
.
"Now repeat after me. Ngafunda okuningi kuwe" She said.
" Ngafunda okuningi kuwe" Repeated the two cubs.
"Ufunde okuningi kimi"
"Ngibona ngamehlo akho"
"Uyabona ngamehlo ami"
"manje ubona ngokucacile"
"manje ngiyabona ngokucacile"
"manje sibona ngokucacile"
"ukuthula makube phezu kwakho nami"
.
Once the two cubs had repeated the last words, Mufasa stepped forward.
His fire like mane being rustled in the wind.
"As it had been before and as it will be many years from now, the indlela sa bazalwane has been fulfilled.
It has created bridges were once there were none. Bridges to gap grievances of brothers, sisters and other bonds.
As the king, i hereby declare this indlela sa bazalwane to be complete. You two are free to go."
With a proud smile, the king looked first at Kuhisha and then at Simba.
.
"I'm proud of you Son. " Said the King.
"Thanks dad, but Kuhisha is the one who really deserves praise." Said Simba, remembering a previous conversation with Kuhisha.
"Of course. Kuhisha, you too have shown some maturity according to what Igunya told me. I am also very proud to have you as a member of my pride."
Mufasa gave Kuhisha a friendly smile.
"T-thank you , your majesty." Kuhisha answered ,with a distinct nervousness.
Sarabi and Umasu stepped forth to welcome their sons back after two nights away from the den.
.
" So it seems you two learned quite a bit about one another. " Said Sarabi with her usual calm smile.
"I guess so" Said Simba. "but there is one thing I don't understand. I thought this whole thing was supposed to take three days to complete. So what gives?"
"The three days are just the standard version. The two brothers from the legend took that much time but that doesn't mean anyone else needs that much time.
You two finished earlier as did your great grandfather and his brother." Explained Sarabi.
"I see. Hey dad?" Said Simba as he spun around to face his father.
"Yes, Simba ?" Replied the King with a smile.
"Did you and Uncle Scar ever do this ritual ?" Asked the young prince with genuine interest.
The kings smile faded. "Simba, " he said calmly.
"I might tell you about this when you're older. It's not a nice story. " He took a moment to let the memory pass.
.
"As of right now however, I would be more than interested to know how you managed to put your differences aside." He said , regaining his smile.
"Well, I mean..."Simba hesitated. He wasn't sure how or where to start.
"Come on Simba, it's not like anything is stopping Igunya from telling everybody anyways." Reasoned Kuhisha.
"We talked about stuff..." Simba started. Should he mention his fears of disappointing his father? Should he lay bare his insecurities in front of his parents?
"Geez, at that speed we'll be lucky to get going before the next dry season. " Joked Kuhisha.
"Let me just tell'em. You can interrupt me at any time." Said Kuhisha , giving Simba a reassuring look.
"We talked about the things we feared, the things we liked, what we thought of one another and eventually came to the conclusion that we aren't all that
different.
We just had different upbringing and different outlooks on life. Despite our differences however..." Kuhisha took a second to breathe and choose his words carefully .
"...I really like Simba quite a bit. He's like an annoying little brother, whom you just can't help but to give a hard time because the times when your nice to him will feel all the better."
Kuhisha was met with Simbas confused glance.
"Was...Was that a compliment?" He asked turning to his mother for reaformation.
Sarabi nodded with her motherly smile.
Simba turned back to Kuhisha.
"I guess I also gotta say something. I already told you that I look up to you like ...like a big brother. Despite all that mean stuff you've done during the
last few weeks, I can't really blame you because i wasn't bein more mature or anything. Maybe that's also why I like you." Simba finished with a confident smile.
The two cubs looked at each other with understanding looks.
Then Kuhisha took a few steps forward. " You know, what? You are my bro, and it would be a crime if you didn't get a hug from me"
Kuhisha said with cockiness as he gave Simba a heartfelt hug.
"Whoa, I thought...?" Simba said in surprise.
"Yeah I thought that would be embarrassing too, but you know what? F**k it. There ain't nothing embarrassing about showing your little brother he is respected and appreciated." Said Kuhisha and he meant it.
The adults gave an "Awwwww" and Simba felt a solitary tear of joy roll down his left cheek.
End of Chapter Chapter 8
Next Chapter Chapter 9: Do (mostly) as i do
