Our Future lies within You. [DG & Songo]

[DGFone]

Taka woke up at almost the same time as Mufasa. Together, the two of them headed outside, where Uru was already lying at the tip of Priderock. "Morning, mom!" Taka greeted her. He was bigger than as a cub, and was starting to grow his mane, but he still had his mother's thin build and dark fur. Uru also bid them a good morning and suggested that they go to the water hole. Taka smiled. "Good idea, mom!" He turned to Mufasa. "Come on! Let's go get Sarabi and let's go!"

Mufasa hesitated a bit, but tried to hide it. Taka still noticed it, however. "What's the matter?" he asked. "Come on, let's go!" He ran off, and Mufasa followed.


Sarabi woke up when she heard Taka and Mufasa outside. Walking out of her den, she spotted the two of them running towards her. "Hey Taka! Hey Mufasa!" She called out. The two lions stopped in front of her.

"Want to go to the waterhole?" Taka asked her.

[ooc: is Ahadi king or not yet?]

[Songo]

OOC: Oh yeah, Ahadi's King now. (:


Sarafina stepped into the deeper end of the watering hole, the water covering half her body. Enjoying the cool dip she slinked from the water and laid upon a large rock. She let the sun's rays dry her pelt as she groomed herself merrily. Her green eyes checked her surroundings every now and again, but she continued to rest on the rock.

Uru smiled as her boys ran off towards Sarabi's den, she relaxed back on the ledge and watched over them.

Mufasa followed beside Taka, his brown eyes lit up when he saw Sarabi. "Hey Sarabi.." Mufasa said with a smile. He stepped towards her and waited for her answer. When she said yes, he bounded off in the direction of the watering hole. He carried his large body through the grass and his brown eyes spotted the lounging Sarafina. "Hey Fina!" Mufasa called as they approached her. He ran into the water and lapped up a few gulps of the cold water, he felt the water soak his pelt. Smirking slightly he ran out and did a circle around Sarabi before tackling her into the water with him playfully.

[DGFone]

Sarabi and Taka followed Mufasa to the water hole. Mufasa arrived first, but Sarafina was already there. Sarabi ran up to the edge of the water and drank. When she had her fill, she looked up and saw Mufasa circling her. "Muffy, what are you doing?" she asked him. For an answer, Mufasa suddenly tackled her and the two of them fell into the water. When Sarabi cleared the surface, she gasped for breath. "Mufasa, you... jerk!" She shouted both playfully and with some anger. She swam over to Mufasa and forced his head back underwater before rushing for the shore, Mufasa chasing after her.

Taka saw Mufasa and Sarabi fall into the water, he started laughing so hard that he couldn't stand anymore. Sarafina approached him, and he told her in between breaths, "Those two... they are so funny!" He laughed some more. For that, Sarafina quickly pushed him to his feet, and then pinned him, rolling the two of them into the water much like Sarabi did with Mufasa.

[Songo]

Mufasa smiled and laid on the soft green grass a moment staring up at the clouds, he rolled back over to his belly. "Lets go to the grave yard. Do you remember that place Taka, lets go explore it." he said with a sly grin. His brown eyes flickered over to Sarabi's face she looked frightened, "Dont worry Sarabi, ill protect." he said stepping close to her. His own eyes meeting with hers and he looked back towards Sarafina and Taka in the water.

Sarafina pinned Taka and they rolled into the water together laughing and she quickly scrambled to the ledge. She pulled herself out and looked at the shaggy wet Taka, she giggled. "That sounds like fun, lets do it!" she whispered. She stepped closer to Mufasa and jabbed at his shoulder playfully, "So lead us to this graveyard Mufasa." she said egging him on.

[DGFone]

The graveyard? Taka stopped. "But Mufasa, isn't that place... dangerous?" he asked. He also wanted to go and explore it, but wasn't so positive about the the idea as Mufasa was. "Besides, didn't dad say that we can't go there?"

Sarabi, who was next to Mufasa, laughed. "Oh, Taka, you're so funny! With the four of us, there's nothing to worry about!" she said. "Besides, the king said that we can't go there when we were small cubs. We are bigger now. We can handle anything!" She said, grinning. "Unless you want to chicken out."

Taka frowned at being called a coward. "Fine, let's go!" He said. "But remember: This isn't my idea!"

[Songo]

Mufasa grinned at Sarabi's words and he turned to Taka, "Yes little brother. It was my IDEA." he said smirking. "Alright come on!" he called and qucikly darted off into the bushes, cutting his way towards the graveyard. "We have to be quick so we don't run into my dad or mom." he added.

Sarafina pushed Taka forward with her paws into the bushes, "Come on Taka move quick..hush!" she giggled following up the rear. As they quickly traveled down the hill, the shadows consumed the land around them. "Whoa.." Sarafina whispered softly stepping closer to Taka.

Mufasa's brown eyes lit up, "This is cool.." he spoke eyeing the land. He hopped up onto of a dead Elephant's ribcage, "Look at me Future King of the boneyard.." he said in a mocking tone.

Uru's honey colored eyes opened and she gazed over the ledge and looked towards the watering hole, the boys had gone. She wondered where they went, "Mother...have you seen the boys?" she asked looking back towards her sleeping mother.

Kamaria lifted her head, "No dear, last time I heard they were heading towards the watering hole." she added before resting her old head back down on her paws. "They arent cubs anymore Uru.." she chuckled softly.

Uru squinted towards the watering hole and she rolled her eyes, "I know but they always disappear..." she muttered under her breath. Slowly pulling herself to her paws she stretched a moment and bounded down the dirt path into the Pridelands. Her honey colored eyes gazing around the terrain looking for them, she sighed as she reached the watering hole.

[DGFone]

Sarabi laughed as Mufasa proclaimed himself king of the graveyard. She didn't notice Taka slip away, and remained on the ground with Sarafina, laughing as Mufasa let the world know of his new annexation to his kingdom. Finally, Sarabi noticed that only she and Sarafina remained. "Wait... where's Taka?" she asked. The two of them looked, and finally spotted Taka climbing up a bone that was even higher than Mufasa's, albeit more dangerous to stand on. "Oh, there he is," Sarabi said. "I hope he knows what he's doing..."

Taka grinned and climbed up on a higher bone than Mufasa. For some reason, the graveyard was inviting, not repealing to him. It was almost as if... he belonged here. Taka took a deep breath and shouted, imitating Mufasa, "Look at my brother! Future king of a bone shorter than mine!" He mocked. "As he slowly expands his future kingdom, graveyard by graveyard!" He ignored the murderous glare that Mufasa was giving him.


Ahadi and Mohatu made their way up to Priderock. After another day of sorting through trouble at the Pridelands, Ahadi was glad to be back with his family. They spotted Uru looking down at the lands from the tip of Priderock. Mohatu left Ahadi to go and join Kamaria's side, and Ahadi walked over to Uru. "Hey, love," he said, nuzzling her neck. "Where are the boys?" He suspected that was what Uru was watching, but when he followed her gaze, he didn't find them.

[Songo]

Mufasa rolled his brown eyes and lept onto another bone, he growled at Taka. "Taka...." he warned and hopped onto a elephant's skull. His back paw slipped and he caught himself, he pulled himself up to his paws. "Alright bone daddy...come down from there." he muttered. He slid down the bone covered hill and stood beside Sarabi, "Come on...lets look in there.." he pointed to a small dark den. He stepped ahead of them and his brown eyes squinted as he adjusted to the darkness, he lead the way.

Sarafina watched Sarabi and Mufasa go into the den and she continued to follow, "Come on Taka, don't be left behind King of the bones." she giggled. When Taka joined her side she nudged him with her muzzle, "ladies first." she mumbled and followed behind Sarabi into the darkness.

Mufasa leapt down behind some boulders and he slunked low to the ground hearing voices, "Shhh.." he whispered behind him. His brown eyes caught sight of 5 hyenas gathering around a small bubbly pit eating leftover antelope. Mufasa put his paws on the rock and watched them carefully, listening in to their conversation.


Hyenas: "You know whats not fair, King Ahadi and the way we have to get left overs. Theres enough of us to run this joint. If only we could get rid of him and his annoying sons...then we could all rule." they began to giggle and their laughter echoed throughout the cave.

Anger surged through Mufasa and he leapt over the boulder and down below to their level, "You mangy dogs!" he snapped angrily. "How dare you talk about my family like that..!" he growled at them.

Hyenas: "Look who it is...One of Ahadi's kittycats..Looks like we need to teach him whos land hes on! Get him! Get them all!" the lead hyena yelled noticing the other pair of watching eyes.

Mufasa looked back at them ,"RUN!" he growled and slapped a hyena back with his large paws scratching his face. He heard the dog screech and back away in pain.

Sarafina tried to squeeze back into through the tunnel as they reached the opening she stepped out into the graveyard, "Oh know.." she whispered seeing the hyenas beat them outside. "They have us surrounded.."


Uru looked to Ahadi, "They disappeared...lets go look!" she said and bounded off into the Pride lands with Ahadi at her tail. "Zuzu...find them!" she called to the pink bird flying over head.

Zuzu flew high above the lands and her eyes squinted at the graveyard and shrieking she flew down to Uru and Ahadi, "The graveyard!" she squawked.

Uru looked back at Ahadi, "Lets hurry..." she said bounding off into the direction of the graveyard.

[DGFone]

The four adolescences discovered themselves surrounded by an angry group of hyenas. Mufasa and Taka took protective stances around Sarabi and Sarafina, but there was little they could do as the hyenas encircled them, laughing like maniacs and clacking their teeth as though they wanted to eat the lions.

One of the hyenas laughed sickeningly. "Well, looks like we have us some fresh meat!" He announce to the others. "How do we want it? Bloody red or well done?"

Behind Taka and Mufasa, Sarabi gulped. What was supposed to be a fun adventure was turning into a dangerous gamble with their lives. Mufasa tried threatening the hyenas, but they just scoffed at his efforts. Meanwhile, Taka remained silent, but ready to attack if needed. Mufasa then tried to let out a tremendous roar, but it was short and very rough.

The hyenas laughed even more. "Hey look, a dinner, and a performance!" one of them shouted with delight.

"Not on my watch!" a deep voice growled at the hyenas, followed by a real growl. This one was powerful, loud, and menacing. The hyenas immediately broke and ran: Ahadi and Uru had arrived.

Ahadi looked at his sons with anger. "I told you boys not to come here!" he said furiously. "Let's go home!" Uru checked to make sure that they were okay as Ahadi lead them back to the Pridelands and directly to Priderock.

When Taka left the graveyard, he briefly looked back. The place looked... interesting. He would have to go back here one day. But not right away. He had to wait for the event to calm down. For the others to lose their guard...

[Songo]

Uru brought up the rear as they made their way back to Pride rock, "Sarafina and Sarabi I'll take you home." she ordered stepping ahead to Ahadi. She nuzzled his mane, she knew he was upset as she was. She looked to Mufasa and Taka and shook her head, she nudged Sarabi and Sarafina forward. She dropped Sarabi off and walked Sarafina up to her den, "Goodnight Sarafina. You had a busy day.." she said with a smirk.

Sarafina's ears flattened back embarrassed, "Sorry Uru, we were just exploring thats all." she whispered before bowing her head and joining her own mother for sleep. She closed her eyes and the graveyard replayed in her mind, the image of Taka on the bones sent a shiver down her spine. She opened her green eyes and stared into the darkness for a little while, until sleep took hold of her.

Uru padded to the top of Pride rock and watched Ahadi lead Mufasa and Taka in the distance, she let out a sigh of relief.

Kamaria walked from the shadows and peered down on the boys, "Every one makes mistakes Uru, they are boys." she said calmly with a smile. She nuzzled her daughter, "What are you going to do when they are adults...follow them around?" she chuckled disappearing back down to her and Mohatu's den.

Uru's honey colored eyes flickered as the moon light shined down on her pelt, "Lock them away in a den.." she grumbled relaxing to the ground. She knew her boys were growing fast, she sighed and waited for Ahadi to finish with them and give her a report later. She watched the stars appear in the dark sky and prayed her boys learned some sense soon.

Mufasa followed behind Ahadi and watched his mother and the girls go, they walked for a moment in the chilly night air. He gazed up at the stars, "Dad, it was my fault." he said softly looking up towards his father his brown eyes flickering with fear.