Chapter 2:
Uncertainty
"Sarafina!"
A tremor of panic raced down Sarafina's spine. The voice was a different one this time, masculine and low. She immediately recognized it as Scar. He didn't sound angry, just commanding. But that didn't change the fear she felt. The reality was this lion would kill her cub if he found him.
Sarafina sat up quickly, her mind beginning to whirl with fear-produced ideas to protect her child. It was one of those moments when you had seconds to cover up something you did wrong or were not supposed to be doing. But it was more serious. A life was on the line if she failed.
She brushed Mheetu's small body up close to her soft stomach, closing her paws in front of him. But that wouldn't be good enough. If Scar made her move, she wouldn't be able to cover her cub. She stood up, backing away against the wall of the cave. A sharp, jagged line in the stone formed a small crevice, an almost perfect place to hide her son. She nudged him inside, praying to the Great Kings that he would keep sleeping. She was ever so gentle, making sure she didn't hurt him, but her racing thoughts urged her to hurry.
Sarafina moved in front of the crack and sat down, pressing her soft fur against it. The opening stretched up higher, dwindling off, giving Mheetu room to breathe. She hoped it would be enough, but there was no time to make it more comfortable. She rubbed the stone floor with her creamy paw, trying desperately to erase the birth-scent that was easy to detect.
Scar's pawsteps were growing louder, much more even than Nala's had been. He would be almost to the cave now, she could hear the crackling of pebbles dislodging under his claws as he clambered up the path.
"Y-yes, Taka?" She replied at last, her voice so soft that for a moment she wasn't sure if he had heard. Actually, that might be good. Her voice had trembled greatly, and she couldn't let him get more suspicious than he already would be.
She had always called him Taka, nothing he said could change that. He had been one of her best friends years ago, when they had the innocence of cubs. Him receiving his scar might have changed him inside, but not to her. It took more than a simple name-change to make her forget all the lovely memories she had, the two of them playing at the waterhole, running through the savannah and causing mischief. He had been the brightest cub she had met, so full of curiosity and innocence. His older brother, the deceased king Mufasa, had been always the favorite, the strong and bouncy one. Sarafina had the capacity to see the imagination and brilliance behind the quiet shell of young Taka, forming a friendship with him that had faltered as they entered their young adult years. If she was honest with herself, she could have become his mate had he not gotten his scar and changed so much.
Sarafina lifted her head as the thin orange lion entered the cave, a dark silhouette poised in the mouth of the den, before slinking into the depths, towards the very back where she sat. The dark shadow represented all that had poisoned his mind and drew the line between them.
"Why weren't you with Sarabi's hunting party?" Scar growled, halting a few paces from her. He had a commanding presence, with flashing green eyes and a midnight-black mane. He didn't react to anything he might have scented, and Sarafina noticed flecks of blood along his jaw and the powerful smell of zebra flesh. Scar must have just eaten-the recent taste of his meal would block out the musky scent of her birth. Relief made her head spin.
It vanished as she comprehended his question. Right. She had forgotten about that little mistake. She, for obvious reasons, hadn't gone out hunting with the lionesses in the morning. Sarafina had felt it was her time at dawn. Sarabi had of course let her stay at Pride Rock to have her cub, so Sarafina had crept up to the empty cave, to collapse and moan as she had Mheetu. She hadn't foreseen that Scar would notice her disappearance, or even care.
"Since when did you care about the huntresses?" Sarafina retaliated, with a little frown on her face as she gazed up. She didn't know why she said it, but fear was making her become angry. At the same time, she hated standing up to the lion who had been her friend.
Scar's mane ruffled as he dipped his head. "We need as much food as possible, Sarafina. And that means more claws to catch the gazelle and wildebeest." His icy calmness made her shiver.
So much had changed. The voice that use to send thrills through her now made her quiver with a withheld despair.
"Taka, I'm sorry." Sarafina backed down now. She couldn't fight him. "I wasn't feeling well today." It wasn't a lie, not at all. She had just given birth! It wasn't the most pleasant experience.
Scar didn't say anything for a moment. His eyes scanned her, then he turned and with a swish of his black-tipped tail, he was gone. Nothing else to say, no accusations or threats.
Sarafina felt a rush of relief at his disappearance. Scar may not have believed her, but didn't push the matter-could he have remembered the companionship he once felt with her?
Sarafina relaxed a bit, the tension rushing out as he vanished. She shifted away from the wall, turning to look down at the slumbering face of her cub. He was still fast asleep, not aware of the danger he had been in. Sarafina's heart was wrenched with pain as she gazed at his little form, the faintest smile across his muzzle.
Sarafina blinked away her grief. Sarabi would have advice. Taking her son by the scuff, carefully edging him out of the crevice, Sarafina slipped out of the cave. Her eyes alert for any hyenas or Scar, she maneuvered down to the strongest scent of the lionesses. She crossed a few stones and down to where a couple lionesses were resting on the rocks. Majestic Sarabi, lying stretched out on a large smooth stone; her sister Naanda a pace away with her son Tojo draped over her paws; Diku and Dwala, Sarabi's other sisters, were nearby, napping against each other. Jani, mother of Tama, was sleeping on her side with her daughter snuggled against her stomach. Lastly, Haraka, mother of Chumvi and Kula, sunbathing on a taller rock with her two cubs tussling below her.
Hesitating, Sarafina kept behind a large stone. She couldn't let anyone else know about the cub. Glancing around, she hid Mheetu in a scraggly clump of grass and then poked her head around the stone, hoping Sarabi would see and come over. That she did, immediately rushing toward her friend with quick, concerned movements. Nala didn't approach her mother, but their eyes met.
Sarafina blinked sadly at Sarabi. Sarabi returned the blink, and then tilted her head with a faintly questioning look. "Was it successful?" She began hesitantly, as if worried to upset her friend. Sarafina gently pulled Mheetu from out of the grass, the cub sliding gently over the ground. He was still sleeping.
"He's beautiful." Sarabi murmured, her eyes gleaming with happiness, yet sadness shone as well from them. "What are you going to do?" She added, already knowing the possible consequences.
Sarafina heaved a deep breath, letting Mheetu rest against her legs. She had a plan, one that had only just popped into her mind after she had left the cave. It was her only choice that would make sure Mheetu survived. She would take him to his father, her mate Asubuhi. He would take care of the cub, him and the pride he was acquainted with.
Sarafina sat down, her eyes darting nervously about. The hyenas had free range of the Pridelands. They might be hiding anywhere. She set Mheetu gently between her paws. He let out a pitiful mew and buried his muzzle into her leg fur.
"I-I don't know." Sarafina replied softly, blinking at her tiny son. "What can I do? I had no idea he would be born in times like this." She ranted, turning her gaze to the sky. The white clouds drifted lazily across the blue expanse, a peaceful view that calmed the lioness slightly.
"I wish I could do something." Sarabi murmured, casting a glance back at the direction they had come from. "Scar is not the same lion he was."
"I know, Sarabi." Sarafina's voice grew stronger. Even just hearing Sarabi's voice was a great comfort to her. "Mheetu won't be safe here."
"That's a wonderful name." Sarabi replied, gazing at the pale cub. "What are you going to do?" Her voice was sharp now, edged with more fear as if she knew her friend was planning something.
"I'm-" Sarafina swallowed her grief. "I-I'm going to take him to Asubuhi." Her voice dropped to a whisper, and she trembled. She never hid her emotions, it was something she never bothered with. Although it might show weakness to some, she didn't care.
Sarabi's eyes widened with shock momentarily, then she pressed her head to her friend. "But why? We would keep him safe." She responded softly, her tail brushing against Sarafina's side in companionship.
Sarafina closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing. "I know. But I won't risk him. Nala and the rest of those cubs are old enough, but if Taka sees Mheetu he will surely kill him. He forbid more cubs unless he had allowed it." Her voice broke and she looked down at her cub, trying desperately not to fall prey to sobbing.
Sarabi bent down to look closely at Mheetu. He squeaked, pressing against Sarafina as he sensed the presence of another unfamiliar creature. Sarabi gave him a sad smile, then she looked back to Sarafina.
"I will go now." Sarafina murmured, her voice shaking. "I can't risk this any longer."
How had it come to this?Sarabi blinked. "Now?!?" She rumbled, tail sticking straight out. At Sarafina's determined, silent gaze, she relaxed and dipped her head. Her's eyes were pools of dark concern. "Do you need help?" She asked, obviously wanting to be as helpful and caring as possible to her best friend.
Sarafina shook her head. "Scar will wonder where you've gone." She took a deep breath and seemed to find strength in Sarabi's gaze. "Tell Nala and the others that...he's dead." However much it pained her to do this, she knew that no questions would be asked later.
With that, she picked up Mheetu and brushed past Sarabi. There was no time to waste, dangers lurked everywhere in the once-safe Pridelands. She kept a quick but even pace, trying to keep Mheetu from swinging and hoping not to be seen. Once in the long grass, her pale pelt helped her blend. Unfortunately the sky was darkening as the sun set, and she wouldn't be as well covered.
Sarafina moved onwards, hoping with all her heart that her cub would live a better life.
Already working on it.
