A lonely Royal

[kinyaa]

A darker form wandered about the water hole. Regal and noble this creature walked, though age was begining to catch her. Many animals bowed their heads in respect to the dark ess though some turned away in discgust. Rumors were already spreading about the current king and some began to despise the former Queen, blaming Scar's actions on her.

Uru wasn't well liked among the pride anymore. She had a bitterness to her left by Ahadi. Still.. she wasn't a bad ess. She loves cubs and being with the pride. She was proud of Taka. He was finally king. Mufasa's death was tragic and it did pain her to loose a son, but Uru didn't really show her grief for him. Some say she didn't care, or that she hated Mufasa.

Lies. Of corse she cared! Mufasa was her son! She'd always love him, she just appeared to 'favor' Taka because his father outcasted him from birth. Despite her pleas to Ahadi... the fool never gave Taka a chance. Taka was, and always will be a King in Uru's eyes.

Thoughts soon drifted to Simba. Her only grandson. For such a young cub to end it's life when it only just begun... This pained Uru greatly. She often weapt about the cub. How she enjoyed telling young Simba stories of the past, of Mufasa, of Taka, anything the cub asked for. Now, he was gone...

Tears began to fall as she beant down to drink. Things seemed odd. Taka was a good king... yet... the pride and herd animals acted oddly. She couldn't help but wonder about her son. Why were the cubs no longer in the dens? Where had many of the male cubs dissapeared to? Pride Rock used to be full of cubs. The plains would fill with the laughter of playing lion cubs. Now they are silent. Perhaps she should speak with Taka.

[Indigo<3]

For the first couple of days after the untimely deaths of her mate and son, Sarabi and walked around as though she was in a daze. She had continued to do her duties as the resident Queen of the pride, until Scar had removed the power from her as well. Now she was ranked as one of the Lead huntresses of the pride, but the lionesses still saw her as the leader. On most days she remained out in the savannah, away from the dark king and his hyena henchmen. So much had changed in such a short time period. Male lion cubs have begun to go missing and the rest of the cubs were to remain away from the safety of the dens. Of course she had assigned a lioness to stay with the cubs at leopard rock, but still. It didn’t seem safe enough. What if the hyena’s attacked them?

Quietly she approached the watering hole, animals whispering about her. Some asked her how she was faring, while others averted her pain stricken eyes. As she came closer to the water she caught sight of a familiar lioness. Her mother in law, the former Queen of the lands. The daughter of the Great King Mohatu himself. A sad smile crossed her features as she moved ever closer.

“Hello there Lady Uru. How are you today..”

Sassy asked her in a soft voice, her eyes meeting the older lionesses for a brief moment. Moving onward she bent down to get herself a nice soothing drink. Her tongue lapped constantly at the refreshing liquid, eyes closing as she tried to relax. Rumors had already begun filtering through the lands, many complaining that Uru did not seem sad enough. By looking at her, she seemed sad enough. Most just expected her to be grieving like Sarabi herself was.

Finishing her drink, the firmly built lioness took a seat in the nearby shade. Her body twitching from the constant presence of flies. Looking out across the watering hole, she watched the animals going about their business. Indeed today seemed to be a lazy day.

[kinyaa]

The dark ess loked to the pale form of Sarabi. She bowed her head in respect. After all, Sarabi was a good lioness and a wonderful Queen to Mufasa. Sadly, Uru was out of the loop, spending much time away from Pride Rock. She had no Idea Taka stripped her of her Queen Status.

"Sarabi, please. No need to adress me with such formality. After all you are the queen."

She mewed gently. It pained her to see Sarabi like this. She used to be a proud and strong lioness. Now she was merely a broken shell. She moved to nuzzle the hurting lioness.

"Sarabi, I am sorry for your losses."

[Indigo<3]

Sarabi watched her mother in law with sad eyes, but other wise did not openly approach her. She was trying very hard to believe that the older lioness was suffering just as much as the rest of the pride. Though with how rumors seemed to fly by night, she was hard pressed to truly believe it. Absently, her tail flickered behind her—the motion seemed jerky and completely out of place. Both eyes were cast down as the other feline approached her. As she heard those words, she shook her head silently back and forth.

“As of a few days ago Uru, you out rank me in the pride hierarchy. Scar has stripped me of my rank and made me a lead huntress for this pride. You see he wanted me to become his Queen and I told him that I could not do such a thing. I cannot betray Mufasa even if he is no longer walking amongst us. With anger he took away my rank...

Her voice seemed to rise slightly in anger at the situation. How could he expect her to willingly mate with him—only days after her mate’s death. To just ignore all that had gone on. Breathing in deeply the muscular lioness tried to make herself appear more calm. Becoming upset at Scar’s mother would only bring on more wrath.

“I’m sorry that I yelled Lady Uru. Indeed I am sorry for your loss as well...”

Sarabi nodded softly.. Regaining control of her senses.

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[kinyaa]

Uru smiled. While she did harbor bitterness, she was still kind to the lionesses of the pride. It wasn't their fault Ahadi was a fool. She was just glad he was gone. It was over. No longer had she have to live a lie. Still.. there was a down side to Ahadi's absence.

She sat gently next to the former queen. Taka took her rank away? That was odd... Why would he do such a thing? Uru was still blinded by the bitterness that she couldn't see Taka for who he had become. He was still the little cub who wanted nothing more than to prove himself to his father.

"Taka dethroned you? My poor dear. Perhaps I should speak with him."

She said softly. Her eyes looked glazed and tear filled and it was clear Uru was grieving. Mufasa reminded her so much of Ahadi and that caused her to distance herself. Feeling grief for him was not hard, he was still her son, but something stopped her from being completely saddened by Mufasa's death. Her grief was mostly for Simba and the pain of Sarabi.

"The other lionesses don't like me much these days. I've heard the rumors... They are false and they have even spread beyond Pride Rock. The cheetahs growl at me, the leopards turn up their noses when I approach, the herd animals whisper as I walk by. Even the birds avoid me. It is as if I threw Simba in that Gorge.... That I startled the wildebeest... That it was me who caused Mufasa and Simba's tragic accident."

Uru sighed. Odd for her to say that. She was close to what truly happened, but none knew the truth. It was all just a tragic accident right? Ha.. how long before the animals began to start the rumor that Uru killed her own son? The elder was surprised noone had yet. After all, everyone knew how much she favored Taka over Mufasa.

"Ah... But I do have a secret, Sarabi... Then again.. don't we all."

[Indigo<3]

Hearing the older lioness speak of her son, she couldn’t help but growl a bit. Sarabi when she was younger saw Scar in a kind light, and he had been one of her best friends. He was also the more sensitive male cub and was always around when any of the girls needed him. They had even courted for a short time when they were teenagers, and she had always cared for him. However she also had this feeling that he was not telling the entire truth about the King’s death. He was hiding something from her and she was determined to figure it out. Her eyes leaked a few tears but otherwise she did not give into her grief. Ever since she became Queen she had always been the leader first, and that was how she lived. Her pain would come when she was alone and was able to cry without others fussing over her.

A rather sad smile crossed her face. “I don’t think Scar is going to budge on his decision Lady. He is very vehement about it. As the new King he has the right to decide who is what in his pride. I’m sure eventually he’ll find a lioness to court and marry. Most leaders do stumble across a willing party at some point..” She told her softly, unaware that very recently her younger sister had bedded with the new King. For the most part the pride was not interested in mating with him.. They never were. There was just something off about Scar that no one could put their paw on.

Hearing the former Queen speak of the rumors she averted her eyes silently. Of course she was bigger than that, she never started any rumors. Her pride sisters had done so. They were very skeptical of the older lioness for her weird actions. But to hear that the lands animals also dislike her, now that made Sarabi worry.

“I think they act so bitterly towards you—because of your favoritism towards Scar. We all know how badly Ahadi treated him. I don’t blame you for your actions—but others do Uru. They believe that you do not grieve for your first born.. That you do not care that he is gone...”

Sarabi told her softly, her eyes slowly meeting hers and then she looked away. She watched the animals at the watering hole. How they would watch the darker lioness with mean eyes, how they’d whisper nasty things. It bothered her. Uru had always been a good Queen.. And for rumors to destroy that sort of reputation. Wow.

“I think I’m the only one that doesn’t have any secrets..”

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[kinyaa]

The regal elder sighed. She nudged Sarabi gently. It hurt to hear the words that came from Sarabi's maw. To not care for her own son? No mother could not care. Even bad mothers cared about their young.

"Ahadi outcasted Taka at birth Sarabi. Even if I begged him to, Ahadi never gave him a chance. Mufasa and Taka used to love each other dearly you know... Until Ahadi began to train Mufasa... I was the only one Taka had. I had to protect him. Without me... Ahadi would have let him die on his own.

But this does not mean I hate Mufasa. How could I hate my own son? Of corse I care that I will never get to look upon his golden face again. Smell his lovely scent, hear his laughter... He is my son, Sarabi.. and it pains me to lose him.

However, being alive for as long as I have.. teaches you things. Ive learned it's best not to dwell on the death of another. Move on or else sorrow will swallow you. Mufasa and Simba are with Mohatu and the Great Kings now. They are being watched over and they are watching us. Open your heart to the wind Sarabi and you can once again feel Mufasa. Hear him in the breeze. Share his pain in the rain. Smile with him in the sun."

The elder ess mused. She was indeed wise. Her tail twitched gently and she sighed. She hoped Mohatu was looking over her son and grandson. She new that soon she would join them. Thus.. Some secrets needed to be exposed.

"Sarabi.... Listen to your heart. Search within it and you too will find secrets. Sarabi... I need you to follow me. I must show you something."

[Indigo<3]

Of course the former Queen listened to her mother in law speak. She knew all to well what things had been like when she was a mere cub. How the royal couple often fought and bickered, how very often Taka would come and sleep with her and her family. Those days and nights had been terrible on the entire pride, knowing that the things were messed up. That the royal family was completely at odds with one another. Of course everyone knew that Ahadi had been rather abusive to his second son, that he had no time for the dark cub. Most of the pride had felt sad for young prince Taka and most tried to take care of him as best they could. But what the prince wanted was to be around his father, even if he couldn’t be.

She remembered how often he had cried on her shoulder. How it wasn’t fair that Mufasa got all the attention and love. Then they had begun to grow up, and Scar had started to change for the worse. He became reclusive and only spent time with his mother and a few selected lionesses. In time the younger prince had come to betray the entire pride, when he attempted to have his older brother hurt by Boma. Instead he had gotten hurt by the water buffalo and now carried the scar on his eye.

Only he blamed that on his brother too. That if only Mufasa had been the one to get hurt.. Though she understood what Uru was saying, without his mom Scar would’ve died a long time ago. Listening to her words about the spirits she nodded silently, she agreed with what the other feline said. Sometimes she did feel the spirits on the wind.. And to be honest she did have a secret as well.

Uru asked her to follow and so she did. Letting the older lioness lead the way to whatever she wanted to show her.

“I guess I do have a secret of my own. I’ll tell you once we arrive at the destination.”

She told Uru quietly and continued to walk, her thoughts drifting to her unexpected second pregnancy. The only lioness that knew was Sarafina, and they had yet to come up with any real answers. How could she tell Scar that she was to birth Mufasa’s cubs yet again. That indeed the old king was still alive and well in these new cubs?

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[kinyaa]

Uru lead Sarabi to a small den. It wasn't much of a den but it held it's purpose. She lead her daughter in law into the tiny den. A paw raised and the darker femme brushed away a few leaves. There, nestled whithin a 'nest' were three sleeping cubs. Two females and one male. They were Uru's, their scents gave that away, but the father was not Ahadi.

"Sarabi... These are my cubs. They will most likely be my last litter... Actually.. I know they will be. Sarabi... Birth took alot from me... Soon my time here will end. I can already feel the slumber of death creeping into my bones. If I were to go before these cubs grow... Will you look after them?"

She asked with a heavy heart. She hoped her life would last to see these cubs grow. Sarabi was th only ess she trusted with this secret. She dare not even tell Taka. Male cubs were vanishing left and right and the rest weren't around Pride Rock. She knew Taka's instincts would cause him to kill her cubs. They were fathered by a rogue.

"Their names are Dysoka, Okoni, and Toma. Their father is a rogue. None of the other lionesses even trust me anymore, so.. You were the only one I could ask this to.."

[Indigo<3]

Sarabi quietly followed the older lioness, her thoughts drifting to her own secret. She was worried for her unborn cubs since they were fathered by Mufasa. With how strange Scar had been acting it was enough to cause some mild panic in her heart. The last thing she wanted was for him to find out and decide to kill them all when they were born. It would probably drive her to insanity. Finally they came to a stop at a small den and silently the leaves were brushed back to expose the three bodies they lay within. By the smell she knew that they were Uru’s offspring but to a rogue. Wide eyes looked upon her mother in law but she did not say anything against them. With how many cubs had been lost recently she was glad to see them alive and well. The question that was asked made a soft gasp escape her lungs, and she nodded quickly.

“Of course I’ll watch after them Uru. How could I not do that? This land needs to protect their cubs severely for without them.. We truly have no real future.”

She spoke quietly as to not wake the sleeping lion cubs. Taking a seat near the den’s entrance she wrapped her tail around her paws. A sad look flickering across her face as she thought about her pregnancy. How could she possibly protect them? With the hyena’s roaming the lands constantly and the simple fact that most cubs were not allowed at pride rock. It was a horrible situation to be put into.

“I guess you were right I do have a secret. One that sits heavily on my mind. For you see before Mufasa died I went into season again. We mated and I am not pregnant with his cubs again Uru. I worry for their safety and my own should Scar find out the entire truth. What should I do?”

Her voice cracked with emotion, her eyes squeezing shut as tears began to run down her face. What should she do. Should she leave the lands? Take these cubs and go somewhere far away? Leave the pride. But where could she go?

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[kinyaa]

Uru smiled as Sarabi accepted the request. However, her smile soon faded at Sarabi's secret. She was glad to know her son would live on in these new cubs. Still.... She knew how jealous Taka was. Mufasa would have new heirs, new cubs, when so far, Taka had none.

"Stay, Sarabi. Do not flee. That will only spell doom for you and the cubs. Tell your most trusted friends. Together they can help you. Raising cubs alone is hard. It is another reason my age is finally catching up to me."

She mewed. Uru seemed to be odd. It was as if she knew something the others didn't. What was it though? Had the winds told her something? Did her experiances teach her?

"I must... speak with Taka... Sarabi, I will not reveal your secret. I am blessed that you would tell me of my grand cubs. Thank you Sarabi."