Part Two: Forward six years...
Four lions sat atop of Pride Rock, staring up at the sky with silent, worried eyes. A pair of two-toned blue lowered to gaze upon the kingdom that stretched out beneath their feet, faintly surprised by the faint patches of greenery that could be seen despite it being the end of summer...and no rains had come this time.
The two younger lions, both males who now had their manes sprouting on their heads and around their necks, watched the parents carefully. Mufasa was studying their father closely, trying to mimic the solemn expression and furrowed brow of the King. Taka was watching the lionesses.
A hunting party had just returned, dragging a dead wildebeest between them. The other lions, who were basking in the shadows of the huge mountain, got up to greet them. Their voices were too faint for him to hear, but the younger prince knew that the other lionesses praising them.
"Looks like the hunting is still well," Uru commented to her mate, her own gaze on their pridesisters. "Yes...but how long will it last?" Ahadi questioned and the Queen could not answer.
Taka walked with Mufasa, following on the heels of their parents, as the royal family went to join their pride at the feast. Bright green eyes flicked from lioness to lioness, seeking out one pelt in particular. From the corner of his eye, Taka could see Mufasa brighten, the golden lion's tread quickening. The sight of his brother warmly greeting Sarabi made the younger lion's coat twinge slightly with envy.
"Hello, Taka," that voice made Taka jerk his head around, his eyes widen in delight as he gazed upon the object of his search, the object of his affections...Sarafina. Her creamy pelt was covered in dust, much like everyone's coats were these days, but somehow she still looked good. While Sarabi had grew larger, more compact and muscular, Sarafina was lithe with a long back and legs, she was a hunter through and through, although, like her friend and Zira, Sarafina had yet to complete her Rite of Passage. That would be in another few weeks.
Sarafina was looking at the carcass, her apple-green eyes blinking in delight. "That was a great hunt, was it?" Taka blinked out of his stupor, mentally kicking himself for staring at her like a lovesick baboon. Had anyone else saw? That last thing that the younger prince wanted was for the pride to gossip about him, combined with light-hearted teasing about young love...Mufasa and Sarabi had received enough that Taka wanted no part of it.
But Taka did want some of what his brother had, a lioness who was always happy to see him, who was always ready to listen and give advice. The young lion would give anything to have Sarafina give him those same tender gazes and small smiles, like what Sarabi gave to Mufasa whenever the older prince happened to look her way. Oh how much did he want that same feeling of love.
"It was," Taka replied, giving what he hoped was a sheepish smile. Sarafina wasn't looking at him, her gaze was on the kill that was now surrounded by all the members of the Pridelands, then her gaze lifted to the sky. Finally the tawny-pelted lioness looked at Taka, her eyes were troubled. "I hope it rains soon," Sarafina murmured as she moved to stand at the red-brown lion's side, Taka took a moment to enjoy the sweet scent of her fur. "I'm sure it will," Taka assured her quickly, without a thought.
From the corner of his eye, Taka spotted Zira. The striped lioness was sitting a little ways from the rest of the pride, her ruby-eyes flicking from the carcass to gaze out upon the open savanna. While the princes and Grass Whispers girls had grown closer, Zira had grown distant from the pride. Despite her royal status due to her mother, Zira was one of the last to eat from the kills. She also slept a little ways from the pride during the rest periods. Her body was with the other Pridelanders, but her eyes and heart were somewhere out in the world, it was little doubt that she would probably go rogue or choose a solitary lifestyle upon completing her Rite of Passage.
"Hey Taka! Guess what?"
Taka jumped as a large ball of tan fur barrel its way into his stomach, making the red-brown prince grunt with a slight wince. He looked down into the wide eyes of his younger brother. Nunka giving him a huge grin in return. "I'm not really one for guessing games." Taka said, trying his hardest to be stern, but couldn't help the smile that came to his lips. "I caught a mouse today!" Nunka declared, bouncing around his older brother's front legs, his tail flicking in excitement. Taka's eyes brightened up quickly, "Did mom help?" "Nope," the cub shook his head. "I did it all by myself." Nunka puffed out his chest, looking extremely pleased with himself. "Mama said that I could have it all to myself. It was delicious."
"Well, then I guess you're too full to have some wildebeest?" Sarafina asked, her eyes and smile showing that she was just kidding. The cub's orange eyes went wide. "Of course not, I LOVE wildebeest." Nunka's large front paws kneaded the ground. "It's my favorite food!" "I thought zebra was your favorite?" Taka raised a brow. Nunka looked between the two older lions and let out a small huff.
"I changed my mind."
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