I stood up and stretched my arms over my head, only to wince when the left one protested.
"Ow," I muttered under my breath as I brought them down and looked it over.
"How are your arms?" Nala asked. Kiara was nursing at her belly.
"About the same, but it's only been twelve days." I gently picked at a fraying leaf. "Do you know how long I need to leave these on for?"
"Rafiki didn't tell you?" I shook my head. I heard a convulsing sound. Thinking she was going to be sick, I looked up. It took me a few seconds before I realized she wasn't covering her mouth with a paw to keep back her lunch. She was laughing.
"What?" It only made her laugh harder. "Don't leave me in the dark, what is it?" Through her laughter, she managed to cough out a sentence.
"You could have taken them off on our walk from Rakifi's!" She couldn't hold it back after seeing the look on my face and rolled onto her side, roaring with laughter. Kiara protested as her lunch ran away.
"EH?! And you didn't think to tell me?!" I nearly shouted.
"We thought you knew!" She retorted around her belly shaking laughs. I started tearing off the leaves.
"I would've had these stupid things off the moment I left that insane monkey's line of sight! I outta whack him…" My words devolved into mutters under my breath.
Once I pulled them all off, I gathered the leaves up and tossed them off the cliff outside. I dusted my hands off before stepping back inside and putting my fists on my hips.
"You done, your Highness?" I snarked, even as my face burned a little. She rolled back over, allowing Kiara to begin feeding again, though her belly still rippled with laughter.
"I would have told you, but I thought you were being paranoid about infection setting in." The humor lit her eyes like a Christmas tree. I scowled, though there was no real heat behind it. I sat down next to her and began petting Kiara, who protested around her meal.
I looked over my arms now that I could see them. Scars from claws and teeth scored my flesh. I was lucky they hadn't bitten clean through the bone.
"Those look painful," Nala said, turning serious.
"They don't hurt any more than they should," I noted absentmindedly as I observed them.
"They shouldn't even be there." I glanced up at her. My brow pressed together for a moment before relaxing.
"No, but it can't be helped. Once they're back to full mobility, however, it shouldn't be an issue." I brushed the lock of hair in front of my face to the side. "Besides, it's just more to the list," I said quietly. Nala gasped and leaned closer.
My left eye was a healthy, steel blue color. My right eye was different. There was a pale scar running vertically along it, stopping an inch or so below it on my cheek. My iris had a grayish color to it, while my pupil had a milky white film.
"What happened?! Rafiki didn't tell us your eye was injured!"
"Because it's an old wound. I had it long before I even thought about coming to this area." The hair fell back into place. "I've grown used to it by this point. These will be no different." I lifted my arms for a second. Nala slumped back, looking me over in shock.
"You must have been through so much…"
"I ask you to withhold your pity," I said gently, "I do have a good life, despite this mark. I have a family that loves me. Friends that have fought to the ends of the earth by my side. I couldn't ask for more." Her eyes softened.
"I'm sorry."
"I accept. Besides," I straightened up a little, taking in a breath, "What's life without a little pain? It builds character." I heard paw steps behind me and turned to see Simba. His eyes drifted to my arms as he approached. He bent down and touched my left arm with his nose. When I didn't flinch in pain, he seemed satisfied and raised his head.
"That arm will take longer, but this one feels better," I explained, holding up my right one.
"That's good. I'm glad you're feeling better." He sat next to Nala and they nuzzled each other. It was not long after lunch and they were settling down for their afternoon nap. I hadn't known how much lions slept throughout the day. Leone was the exception as he could rest any time we weren't battling or communicating. He was basically piggybacking on me the entire time.
'Just grateful his Bey doesn't weigh what he would if he were an actual lion…' I kept that thought to myself. If he heard that, he'd sit on me the next chance he'd get.
I excused myself and stepped outside. Breathing in the fresh air, I looked around. It would be amazing to bring my friends and family here. Maybe introduce them to Simba and the pride.
Though…that would be weird, considering I would be the only one to understand them. I frowned in thought.
Something collided with the back of my leg, nearly bowling me over.
"Move it, human." Zira stalked passed me with a growl, her cubs following close behind. The daughter, Vitani, I believe, stuck her tongue out at me as she passed, only to stumble a little. She was still learning how to walk. The two sons ignored me as they loyally followed their mother.
'I really hope the apples fall far from the tree on that one…' I thought to Leone, who could only send back waves of annoyance. I sent soothing feelings across our bond.
'What do you think? Should I try it today?' I held up my left arm, flexing it. Sure, it still hurt, but I needed to keep my strength up. Going on the morning route with Simba was helping, but it wasn't like traveling. I could feel myself getting weaker as the days went by. Leone's excitement nearly knocked me off balance.
"Okay, okay, you impatient baby," I muttered fondly before walking around to the other side of Pride Rock. I knew there were few creatures on this side, as the shade was on the front of the rock. There were few trees as well, so it was even less likely for there to be any creatures around. I pulled out my launcher and steadied myself. Leone pitched a fit when I left him in his case.
"Calm down. I need to make sure I can launch at all," I hissed before settling into my stance and taking a deep breath. Pulling the ripcord, I winced when my wounds protested. The pain was manageable, however. I pulled again, and again, and again. Each time I grew a little more confident. After about twenty launches, I stopped.
"Alright, now we can try this." I finally pulled Leone out, who thought I was being intentionally slow about it, and put him on the launcher. I settled into my stance, gripped the ripcord, and pushed out a breath.
"Let It Rip!" Leone flew off the launcher and hit the ground at high speeds. He zipped around, enjoying his newly returned freedom.
After about an hour he came back to me. I snatched him from the air and smiled.
"Well, at least you're feeling on your game." I decided to head back. Any clouds in the sky were avoiding shading me from the sun, and I didn't feel like becoming crispy.
I jumped when a roar echoed out. I spun around just in time to see Zira leap at me. I ducked with a yelp. She spun on a single paw and lashed at me with her claws. I scrambled away.
"I'll skin you like a zebra!" She cried.
"Zira! What is wrong with you?!" I said.
"I knew we couldn't trust you!" My eyes widened. Had she seen Leone?
"What are you talking about?!" Ignoring my words, she roared and lunged. I flailed backwards, memories of the wild dogs nearly making me panic.
"James! Zira! Wha-!" Simba skidded to a halt, his eyes locked onto our tense forms.
"Simba! He, he attacked me!" Zira spat. My eyes bugged out and I looked at her in shock.
"What?!" Simba and I exclaimed at the same time.
"That's a lie!" I protested. Simba looked torn. It didn't take a genius to realize why. Zora was his pride mate, someone he actually knew. Meanwhile, I was the member of a different species, and effectively still a stranger.
"It's true! I came this way looking for my cubs!" She snarled before she thundered towards me. "You killed them!" I barely ducked her claws, one ripping my shirt.
"What are you on about?!" I slapped Leone on my launcher, holding it up. "I haven't hurt anyone!" I continued backing away from her as her red eyes flashed with bloodlust. "I don't know where your cubs are!"
"Liar!" Spittle flew from her maw. Her real self slipped through her carefully stitched mask. A liar, a cheat, someone willing to do anything to get her way. I stopped and lowered my launcher to my side.
"Simba. Trust me." I closed my eyes even as my instincts, and Leone, screamed to run, to launch, anything other than make myself defenseless. There was some scrabbling of claws on dirt and I flinched.
"Move!"
"Stand down, Zira."
"No! He killed my cubs! I'll gut him like he did them!"
"Until I see proof of your claims, you don't touch him." I felt myself relax just a bit. "James." The tension was back. I opened my eyes, keeping my gaze on my own feet. Deciding as much respect as possible might help calm the situation, I responded.
"…Yes, sire?"
"You will stay there. Do not move. If you do, I will assume you are guilty."
"Yes, sire." I didn't let my relief show, even as my heart dropped back into my chest. Leone growled in my mind and I mentally whacked him. This was a bad situation. I didn't need him distracting me.
"Zira, where did you last see your cubs?" Simba asked.
"We were going down to the water hole as we do every mid-day. Nuka saw something and ran off. Before I could stop them, Vitani and Kovu followed him. When I followed their scent trail, I found him," She pointed to me, "None of my cubs were to be seen and he attacked me as soon as he saw me!"
'The cubs really could have run off and she used the opportunity to blame me.' I thought. Leone admitted it wasn't a bad tactic. I begrudgingly agreed.
"So you haven't seen your cubs since?" Simba asked.
"No, you got here before I could slay him." She looked mournful. "I…I can only imagine the fear they must have felt, being attacked by man." Simba watched her quietly, his tail flicking as he pondered something. He looked over at me. I lowered my eyes again, not wanting to aggravate him. When I felt his eyes still on me a few moments later, I looked up.
"James, did you see the cubs today?" I nodded.
"Right outside the cave. Zira was leading them in the direction of the water hole."
"Any time after that?" I shook my head.
"I came this way. Knowing Zira's lack of trust in me, I didn't want to be near her cubs so I could avoid a fight. I also wished to be alone for a while."
"Likely story!" The female growled. "You murdered them in cold blood!" I turned to look at her, but she only became more tense at my silence. "What?! What are you looking at?!"
"Someone who is willing to use their children for personal gain," I spat. Her eyes widened and she roared in anger.
"How dare you! How dare you accuse me of such things!"
"Alright, enough!" Simba roared. "If there were three cubs killed, then where is the blood and bodies?" Zira's eyes looked like they'd pop out of her skull. I jumped in before she could answer.
"You may not like me and as I said before, I get it. But let me make one thing very clear, Zira." I allowed Leone's power to exude an invisible presence over me. "I will never hurt children. Human, or lion. I would sooner die than harm them. So don't go accusing me of such disgusting things when you have no proof."
"James." Simba stepped between us. I had Leone retreat as I bowed my head again. Simba turned to Zira. "There is no blood. In fact, I don't even smell the cubs' scents around here."
"But I followed them here!" She insisted. Then she lifted a paw and watched it shake slightly. She had felt Leone's power, but couldn't explain what was making her shake.
"Maybe it was an old scent trail," Simba suggested, not catching the look on her face. "They might have gone another way. I will send out search parties." He turned back to me.
"As I said before, stay here." I nodded wordlessly. I wasn't going to move. He led a furious Zira away. I relaxed once they left earshot. I closed my eyes and focused on Leone.
'She really hates me, huh?' Leone growled low in my mind, wanting a piece of her. 'If things continue this way, you just might get to fulfil that desire…' I meditated as best I could while standing in the hot sun. I was beginning to wish I had brought my hat when I heard rustling in the brush. I opened my eyes to see a dark furred cub step out.
'Crap.'
Leone agreed.
"Um…?" The cub jumped before turning to me. He gasped and backed up. I held my hands up. "Whoa, it's okay, I'm not going to hurt you."
"I, I got lost. The grass, is too tall…" He looked scared and tired. I mentally cursed my weakness before crouching down and holding out my arms.
"Come're." He hesitated before walking over. I rubbed his ears before gently picking him up. I began petting him. His fur was warm to the touch, hot even. I turned so I was shading him.
"What are you doing out here?" He asked as one of his front paws dangled from my arms.
"A lioness and I had a disagreement. Simba is working to solve it. He told me to stay here until he gets back. Anyways, what are you doing out here?" I dragged the conversation back around. The poor thing didn't need to know the conflict between myself and Zira.
"Nuka saw a butterfly so we chased it. Nuka has always been faster than me. Vitani is smaller, but she's able to run farther." He looked miffed. I chuckled.
"It's the job of the older sibling to be the fastest and strongest. I'm the oldest in my family."
"Really?"
"Mh-hm. I've got a younger brother named Ryan."
"Wow, I didn't know you had a brother." His expression went from awe to sadness. My brow furrowed.
"What's wrong?"
"I bet you miss him." I smiled.
"I do. But I've been away for longer before. Besides, the more I'm away, the happier I am to see him."
"Why did you leave?"
"I travel the world to get stronger."
"The world?"
"There's more to this place than just the Pridelands, Kovu." I shifted him to my right arm and pointed in the direction I had come from. "If you travel that way for a good 25 days, you'll find a pond of water so big you can't see the other side."
"What?!" He straightened up, as if trying to see over the horizon.
"If you cross that water, it'll be another long trip before you reach my home."
"Wow. I had no idea there was so much out there!"
"I bet I've traveled farther than even Simba has," I suggested playfully. His awe only grew.
"Wow!" I chuckled before looking around.
"Do you think you can made it back to the cave? Your mother is worried sick about you."
"Oh! I need to go!" I set him on the ground. He shook himself before smiling at me. "I hope my mom treats you better!" He bounded off. I couldn't help the look of shock. I didn't tell him it was Zira I had fought with.
'Smart cub…'
