I followed the base of the tallest formation on Pride Rock. Leaning my head against it, I painfully pulled out my Bey. I used my own body to shield it from the rain.
Phantom Leone SA165BS. My greatest possession and closest friend.
"What am I going to do, Leone?" I whispered as I pressed it to my forehead. It was such a strong Bey, I found myself leaning on it for support often. "How can I stop those poachers if I can't even launch you?" It mentally brushed against me, trying to reassure me.
"James?" I spun around, slipping Leone back into the holster. Nala stood there, a look of concern aimed at me. "Are you okay?"
"You want the honest truth?" I asked. She nodded, her brow creasing a little. "I have no idea what I'm doing here," I gestured to the Pridelands.
"Mufasa didn't choose you without good reason. I'm sure you'll figure it out."
"Or maybe he snagged the first human that came into the area," I said as a bout of frustration swelled in my chest. A short growl nearly made me leap to the top of Pride Rock.
"Mufasa was a wise king. He would not make such careless decisions." Her eyes were narrowed. "Human or not, I ask you do not speak ill of the dead."
"…Sorry," I mumbled, thoroughly cowed and trying to calm my racing heart. She stepped closer, her expression turning to one of care.
"You have a heavy burden placed on you. You are reacting better than I would." I looked away.
"Still, you're right. I, shouldn't speak about him like that."
"I'm sure he had his reasons for choosing you."
"Let's hope I figure out what those are." I wanted to fold my arms, but they hung by my sides.
"Come on, there's someone I want you to meet. And you shouldn't be out in this rain, you'll get sick." She turned back towards the cave before looking over her shoulder. I hadn't moved.
"Are you sure that's a good idea? I don't want to push anyone." She smiled.
"I don't think she'll care." I hesitantly followed her into the cave. She walked over to another lioness and spoke with her as I slowly approached. The lioness' brow furrowed at Nala's words. Nala insisted, however, and the other lioness stepped away. Laying on the bare rock was a cub.
"Come say hello, James," Nala said. I stepped forward as she tucked the little thing into her stomach. It mewled in protest at being moved. "Her name is Kiara. She's alive because of you." I looked at Nala with surprise. Surely she could have saved her, even without my help. She smiled. "Come on, it's okay." I knelt down and slowly reached a hand out, placing it on the cub's head. The cub squeaked in protest. I rubbed one of her ears which calmed her right down.
"She's so small. It's hard to believe she'll become as big as you," I muttered. Kiara's claws latched onto my finger and I winced. Thankfully, they didn't go deep enough to draw blood. They were still sharp little needles though.
"I look forward to it and dread it at the same time," Nala chuckled.
"Why?"
"You don't have children, do you?" I shook my head. "If you ever do, then you'll understand." I petted Kiara for another few minutes, still in awe that I was petting a lion cub with her mother right there. I sat back and looked around the cave. Leone was one thing. These were real, wild beasts. And yet they were (mostly) ignoring me.
"It still feels like a dream," I whispered, seeing a few other lionesses sleeping. "Or maybe the beginnings of a nightmare. Nala hummed in recognition.
"I can only imagine. But, your time here will feel swifter than the rainy season, I'm sure of it."
"I can only hope." I looked over my shoulder when someone cleared their throat. The lioness from before stood there. I hadn't realized she had come back inside. She dipped her head to me before speaking.
"I apologize for my behavior towards you. I have judged you without knowing who you are." She went to say something else, but I cut her off by holding up my hand. Her voice told me it was Sarabi.
"I'm a strange creature invading your land and home. I get it. I would have done the same," I assured her. "No hard feelings?" She looked taken aback for a moment.
"Of course." She quickly recovered and sat next to Nala. "So, you really met Mufasa, then?"
"Yeah. He uh, he's intimidating." I felt a small shiver run down my spine.
"He tended to have that affect on others. Though, he was extremely kind and understanding." She slid down to lay on her stomach.
"I…guess I could see that," I said, thinking back to our short conversation. "Were you close?" She smiled, though there was sadness in it.
"I was his queen." That was a slap to the face.
"Sorry, I didn't mean…" I scrambled to think of something.
"It's alright. You didn't know." She shook her head.
"I need to work on my tact…" I felt my face grow hot. She chuckled, and I saw some of the sadness leave her eyes.
"Don't we all." She looked behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to see Simba talking to a small group of lionesses. He nodded at them and they headed outside. He hopped onto the rock he had been standing on before and slumped down, setting his head between his paws and closing his eyes.
"Simba was a brash cub, always talking about how things were going to be when he became king. He was so innocent, he didn't realize what it would mean." I looked back to Sarabi before looking at my lap.
"Right. He's your son. Mufasa's son…" My brow furrowed as I thought about the implications.
"Simba watched his father die." My brow pinched more when Sarabi took a deep breath. The sadness was back. "His uncle, Scar, threw him off a cliff, and Simba saw him fall."
"Why would he do that?!" I was able to keep my voice down, barely.
"Scar wanted the throne for himself. He coordinated with the hyenas and set a trap for both of them. Once Mufasa died, Scar convinced Simba it was his fault. He sent the hyenas after him. Simba barely escaped with his life." I glanced over to Simba again. My heart went out to him.
Years ago I had nearly lost my brother to my own negligence. He was scarred from it, but he's told me it's only noticeable on really cold days. However, the guilt had nearly crushed me at the time. I couldn't imagine someone else blaming me for the death of a family member that wasn't even my fault.
"…Where is this Scar?" I asked in a low voice.
"Dead. When Simba came back to reclaim the throne, Scar attempted to convince us the hyenas were behind the entire thing. They overheard him and, well." She let it hang in the air. I felt Leone warm on my belt and closed my eyes, gently pushing down the anger I felt from both of us.
'I know. But he got at least part of what he deserved.' Leone settled after a few moments.
"James?" I opened my eyes to see both lionesses looking at me in concern. "Are you okay?" Nala asked.
"It's never easy to hear when family stabs their own in the back." They both agreed without hesitation.