Our Future lies within You. [DG & Songo]

[DGFone]

Ahadi looked up at the stars. "Well, I... I didn't," he admitted. He never before actually talked to the kings before. Even though Ahadi was able to adopt the Pridelander beliefs, including about the Great Kings, he never actually before ever prayed to them. He slowly got up and left, but gently nudged Uru back when she tried to follow him. "I want to do it alone," he told her gently. Really, Ahadi didn't want her to see him on his first talk with the Great Kings.

He walked down Priderock to the open savanna, searching for a place that felt right. He finally found one, on top of a small mound. Ahadi sat sown on the ground and looked up at the stars. They twinkled back at him. Ahadi cleared his throat uncertainly. "Great Kings," he began slowly, unsure of what to say, "I know that I never talked to you before, but I need your help." Ahadi closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again. "My son, Taka, is changing. I don't know how exactly, but... I fear for him and my family. Yesterday he lead Mufasa to the elephant graveyard. Mufasa nearly died there as Taka simply watched. Only in the last moment did he interfere. Now he wants to be called Scar..." Ahadi felt tears form over his eyes, and he wiped them off on the back of his paw. "I want to help him, help my family stick together. Become what it was before. But I just don't know how." Ahadi stared directly at the stars now. "I ask for your help. I want to be able to help my family. Please... Tell me how to do it. Even if you just let me know if I do things correctly, just... let me know." Ahadi finished. "Please. Help me." he whispered into the night sky.

Ahadi turned back to Priderock, only to see the grass next to him move suddenly. He knew who it was. "Uru!" He called out. "I know you're there! You can come back. It's alright..." Almost immediately, Uru emerged from the grass in front of him. Ahadi nuzzled her. "How much did you hear?" He asked her.


Sarabi felt better when Sarafina allowed her to go. Slowly getting up, the future queen looked back at Sarafina. "Saffy," she said, "You're my best friend. I will make sure that you will find someone." She said.

[Songo]

Uru's honey colored eyes twinkled at Ahadi as he heard her rustle in the bushes, showing herself she joined his side."My dear Ahadi, I wasn't listening. I was praying with you." Uru nestled herself in the cool grass next to Ahadi, "Mufasa's wedding is in a day. We need to focus on bringing the animals together, getting Rafiki to do the ceremony. But we also need to keep an eye on Taka..." she said softly. Rubbing her face off Ahadi's furry chest Uru let a soft purr slip from her muzzle lips, resting her paws on his chest she pushed him to the ground. Licking Ahadi's cheek Uru smiled down on him, "Your a good father and a great King, I love you." she said proudly. Her muzzle lips found Ahadi's and she kissed him softly, a purr slipping from her once more.

Sarafina nodded at Sarabi's comment and she smiled, "Thanks best friend." she whispered before heading into the den to join her mother. She laid to her belly and closed her eyes, letting out a soft sigh. She dreamed of a large golden maned lion, who one day would come and be her mate.

[DGFone]

Ahadi smiled and nuzzled Uru. "Thanks," he told her softly. He turned back to Priderock. "We better go back and get some sleep," he announced. "We'll need it tomorrow." Ahadi lead Uru back to the den, and the two of them lay down in between Mufasa and Taka. Ahadi inspected both his sons. Mufasa looked happy in his sleep, and when Ahadi looked over Taka, so did he. Ahadi smiled. So there was a chance after all. He closed his eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep, surrounded by his family.


Sarabi smiled as she left Sarafina and ran back to the main den. Spotting Mufasa, she ran over silently and lay down next to him, snuggling into his mane. Closing her eyes, she fell asleep dreaming of theri future together.

[Songo]

Uru awoke early the next morning, she beat the sun by just a few minutes. A smile across her muzzle she watched the Pride lands wake up, she understood now why her mother did the same thing. Thoughts fluttered through her mind as she looked up at Zuzu floating above her, "Morning Zuzu. You and I will be making our rounds and informing the animals of the ceremony tomorrow. Ahadi is going to speak to Rafiki and later I will have a chat with Taka.." she said softly inhaling the brisk morning air.

Uru bounded through the Pride lands and greeted the animals a big smile across her muzzle, she chatted with the hippos and made future plans with the giraffes. But she was very pleased with the turnout tomorrow for Mufasa's wedding, it would be like Ahadi and hers. She made her way to the watering hole and dipped her muzzle into the cool liquid taking a break, she drank quietly.

Mufasa awoke and he felt Sarabi by his side, letting out a soft purr he nuzzled her awake. "Good morning future queen.." he whispered in her ear. His warm brown eyes flickered as he gazed at Sarabi, she was beautiful. He ruffled his dark red mane, it was growing in thicker now and he smiled proudly. Giving Sarabi another nuzzle he lifted himself to his paws and made his way outside the den. The sunlight bounced off his golden tan pelt and he grinned at the Pride lands, 'Everything the light touches...; he thought to himself.


Sarafina's eyes snapped open and she awoke in a rustle, she was having another nightmare. Frowning a bit the lioness groomed herself slowly and made her way into the sunlight, gazing up she noticed Mufasa. "Hey Muffy! Is Sarabi with you?" she yelled. Taking a moment Sarafina hopped up the rocky ledges and bowed her head to Mufasa, "Good morning." she whispered not seeing Sarabi. "Are you ready to be married?" she chuckled softly.


Mufasa greeted Sarafina with a smile, "Saffy. Are you feeling better? Yes, I'm ready to make Sarabi my mate forever." he said with a grin.

[DGFone]

Ahadi woke up rather quickly when, still in a dreamy state he realized that he was alone. He got up and looked around while stretching. He noticed that Uru and Mufasa had already left the den, leaving him behind with Taka and Sarabi. Grinning, Ahadi left the den, and made his way to the savanna. He didn't bother to look for the others, instead he turned and made his way straight to Rafiki's tree, near the edge of the Pridelands.

Stopping by the tree, Ahadi looked up, trying to see if he could spot the monkey. He didn't. "Hey, Rafiki, you up there?" He asked, and sat down to wait for an answer.


Sarabi woke up slowly and felt around for Mufasa. Not feeling him, she groaned and opened her eyes. Sure enough, Mufasa had already left the den. She would have to talk to him about that... And then she noticed that she was alone in the den with Taka. Sure, the lion was asleep, but she was still weary of Mufasa's warning about his brother. Sarabi quickly got up and left the den, searching for Mufasa.

She decided that Mufasa would most likely either with his parents, or with Sarafina. Sarafina's den was closer, so Sarabi went there, and gave off a breath of relief when she spotted Mufasa and her friend down there, talking. Running down eagerly, Sarabi stopped in front of them. "Hey, what are you guys talking about?" She asked.


When Scar's turn to wake up came, he wasn't surprised to find himself alone in the den. It didn't even hurt him or make him feel lonely. Scar decided to talk with Ahadi about perhaps taking over one of the empty dens next to Priderock. He wen outside looking for his father, but didn't see him. Instead, he spotted Uru down by the waterhole and ran over to her. "Hey mom!" He called out when he was within earshot. Uru looked up at him and smiled. "Mom, I want to ask you something," Scar said, "I was thinking, well, could I perhaps move into one of the empty dens by Priderock? I think that it would be better for me." He told her.

[Songo]

OOC: I think your Rafiki right? ^__^

Mufasa spotted Sarabi and rubbed his head off of hers, "Good morning my love." he said with a grin. As she nestled close to his side he could feel her heart beating fast; "Sarabi, whats wrong?" he asked looking down at her.

Her green eyes squinted a bit as she noticed Scar making his way through the Pride lands, huffing she turned her attention back to Sarabi and Mufasa. "We were just talking about the wedding tomorrow." she muttered softly. Reclining back to her hinds she turned to the lovebirds and smiled, "All the animals will be there.." she added excitedly.

Mufasa rubbed the back of his head with his paw, "Oh man..." he muttered sheepishly. He gave Sarabi another nuzzle softly, waiting for her answer.

Uru looked up from her drink and she noticed Taka, "What...Taka...you can't be serious..?" she said reclining by her song. She gave him a nuzzle of her own and licked his cheek, "Your place is with your Pride...with your family." she insisted.

[DGFone]

Sarabi nuzzled Mufasa. "Nothing's wrong," she told him, but changed her mind shortly after. "Well, when I woke up today, you weren't there," Sarabi said. "Why didn't you wake me up to at least say that you are going out?" She asked. Nuzzling his mane, Sarabi told him "You will need to start acting like my husband someday. Preferably sooner than later."

She looked over at Sarafina. "Are you feeling better, Saffy?" She asked, smiling at seeing how Sarafina seemed to take care of the rejection by Taka.


Scar looked at the ground, feeling saddened. "But mom, I feel better alone," he said softly, "and I asked you to call me Scar from now on. I... I don't feel like Taka anymore."


Ahadi was about to turn and leave Rafiki's tree when he heard laughter from above. Shortly after, the wise baboon, holding his usual staff, hopped down from the branches and stood besides the lion. Ahadi smiled and hugged the monkey gently, "It's good to see you again, Rafiki," he said as Rafiki hugged him back. "I need to talk to you about something."

Rafiki smiled at Ahadi. "Der be no trouble, I hope," he told him. "Or if der is, you tell Rafiki about it." The monkey walked away, motioning for Ahadi to follow him.

Ahadi smiled sheepishly as he stood up and followed Rafiki. "Well, there is trouble in fact," he said slowly. "It'a about my son, Taka. I fear that he is growing apart from our family. Recently, he lead Mufasa to the graveyard, and let the hyenas attack. Only later did he intervene and prevent Mufasa from getting killed," Ahadi shuddered a little at the thought. "Well, since then, Taka asked to be called Scar. So I've come for your help. I just don't know what to do about it. I want to help both of my sons, but I just don't know about Taka."

Rafiki nodded, understandingly. "There isn't much you can do now, is der?" He asked, "If you want Rafiki's advice, den listen to your sons. Make dem feel happy, like you care about them. Remind dem that we are one, and noting can change it.

[Songo]

Mufasa rubbed the back of his head and blushes slightly, "Sorry Sarabi." he said smiling and giving her a nuzzle back. Mufasa's eyes narrowed slightly as he turned his head and noticed his brother and mother by the watering hole. A tingle of anger surged through him and for a moment time seemed to stand still,Mufasa couldnt place it when but he knew Taka was gone. Turning back to the conversation briefly Mufasa looked at Sarafina, "Well Saffy, I heard word from my grandmother that we were suppose to get a few more lioness's and theres a couple cubs our age." he added with a smile.

Sarafina nodded at Sarabi, "Much better, I'm just focusing on moving forward." she said softly nodding to her best friend. "Really...hopefully there's a cute lion in that bunch!" she smirked. Sarafina paused a moment, "Well you two, tomorrow is the big day. All the land is chattering about your wedding, i will be watching and cheering you on." she said proudly.


Uru frowned at Taka's words, "But Taka...you are MY Taka. That is the name I picked for you..." she said nuzzling her son. Tears blurred her honey colored eyes and she reclined to her hinds once more. Thinking for a moment she frowned, "If you'd like that...then go ahead Taka. Only for a little bit, we shall see how this new spot goes." she muttered trying to make peace with her son. Uru watched a Taka's face lit up with happiness as he ran to go pick one, she huffed. She knew Ahadi was going to be upset about this one, grumbling a bit she bounded off back to Pride rock.

Taking her spot she solemnly watched Taka bounce around the dens in the back of Pride rock. She heard her parents talking in their den and she added another sigh, old age wasn't letting them move around as much. She had hoped they would stick around to be Mufasa crowned, but it seems they wont make it to far past his marriage. Uru fought with herself over the decision to let Taka choose another den, she just shook her muzzle and waited patiently for Ahadi.

[DGFone]

The next day...

Ahadi woke up slowly, and smiled, eyes still closed, as he realized what day it was. Today, Mufasa and Sarabi are to be married. With all the preparations already complete, it was only a matter of waiting. He yawned proudly and stood up slowly, giving Uru a loving lick to wake her up. She stirred as his tongue ran over her and Ahadi pulled away, letting Uru wake up the rest of the way herself.


Sarabi anxiously waited for the sun to rise. The entire night, she was unable to sleep because of her excitement. When the first rays of light scattered thought the morning sky, she couldn't contain herself anymore. She rose up quickly and prodded Mufasa awake. "Come on, Mufasa!" She whispered urgently. "Wake up!"

[Songo]

A big grin passed by Uru's muzzle as she felt Ahadi's rough pink tongue, she opened her eyes. Standing to her paws and taking a moment to stretch she looked over and saw Mufasa and Sarabi waking up. She looked to Taka's corner and frowned, remembering he slept else where. Looking back to Ahadi she spoke, "Rally the animals my love..today the Prince marries."

Mufasa grumbled and rolled away from Sarabi for a bit, enjoying the extra sleep. But his furry tan ears perked forward at his mother's voice, his head popped up; today is the day. Mufasa nuzzled Sarabi and gave her cheek a lick, "I'm up..." he said chuckling. Pulling himself to his paws Mufasa stood next to his mother, "Well...what do we do?" he asked curiously.

"Well...Ahadi, Zuzu and I will rally the animals and wait for Rafiki. Mya and Sarafina will come in here and help you and Sarabi get groomed and ready. Then when Rafiki arrives he will give you instructions." she said proudly. Giving Mufasa a loving nuzzle Uru padded beside Ahadi, "Lets go...quickly." she whispered.


Sarafina awoke to the chatter of animal hooves and the loud elephants, she froze a moment remembering today her best friend got married. A smile plastered across Sarafina's muzzle and she nuzzled her aging mother. "Hurry mom, im going ahead." she said leaping up the ledges to the royal den. Seeing Sarabi and Mufasa awake in the den Sarafina greeted them, "Today is the day.." she said with a smile.