Our Future lies within You. [DG & Songo]

[Songo]

Mufasa chased after Sarabi at a slow pace so she could beat him to the top of Pride rock, he rubbed his head off his mother and nodded to his father. "Morning. Oh, Hey Saffy." he added noticing they were speaking to his friend. He gave Sarabi a small nuzzle and joined her side as he listened to the conversation being spoken.

Sarafina smiled and nodded, "I will take the job! Thank you so much Ahadi and Uru! I wont let you two down!" she said giving Uru a hug. She nodded at Sarabi, "Hey Mufasa and Sarabi." she added. "I can't wait to start with Zuzu, thank you! I'm going to tell my mother!" she exclaimed and disappeared down the rocky ledges.

Mufasa lifted an eyebrow and looked at his mother and father, "What did we miss?" he asked curiously.

[DGFone]

Ahadi was surprised to find Mufasa and Sarabi up next to them, but smiled anyways. "Well, Mufasa, your mother and I have been talking," he said, "And we decided, that because of how little time I had for you when I was being taught how to be king, we decided to do the training together." Ahadi announced. "I will teach you just as next to us, Uru will teach you, Sarabi. This way the four of us can be together." He said.

At this, Mufasa and Sarabi grinned, but as they were about to celebrate, Ahadi cleared his throat to get their attention again. "Because we will be in only one place, we have asked for Sarafina to take over some of our duties for us. She and Zuzu will deal with whatever trouble comes up unless it will require our direct involvement." He explained. "This means that for the time that she works for us, she is, in essence, your queen and king. If she tells you to do something, you do it." Ahadi said seriously. "It's a real privelage that she accepted this job from us. Therefore I ask you to respect her as you would me or Uru." He said, figuring that this last statement was rather useless.


Sarabi grinned excitedly. "But... that's perfect!" She blurted out. "And don't worry, Sarafina's my best fiend. Why would I not respect her? Besides, now she gets a chance at ruling." She said. "Before us, even!"

[Songo]

Mufasa smiled, "Thats a good idea." he said looking to his mother and father. He nuzzled Sarabi a bit and then reclined to his hinds beside her. "When does our training start?" he asked curiously.

Sarafina told her mother of the good news and was back up sitting with Mufasa and Sarabi a smile on her face, "Thank you guys. I won't let you down." she said with a smile.

Uru nodded to Sarafina, "I know you wont dear. Just be careful and Zuzu will help you make those everyday decisions.." she added. She nuzzled Ahadi and licked his cheek, "Well dear, when does their royal training start?" she said lifting an eyebrow to her King.

[DGFone]

Ahadi ran a paw through his mane. "Well, seeing as you guys are so eager to begin, I don't see why not to start the training right now..." He held a straight face just long enough to register the look of pure shock and horror from Sarabi and Mufasa before he burst into laughter. "You really think I meant it?" He asked in between breaths, "You should have seen your faces! Oh..." With a big breath, Ahadi regained his composure. "Most likely in a few days," he answered, "As soon as I am confident that Zuzu and Sarafina will be able to handle running the kingdom on their own for the most part."


Sarabi's face dropped when Ahadi pulled his prank on them. "What? No! That's too early!" She tried to protest, only to sigh in frustration as Ahadi burst into laughter. She tried to look dignified as the king then gave his real answer to them. When he was done, Sarabi leaned over to Mufasa. "If you try anything like that," she whispered into his ears, "you can kiss your position as king goodbye." She warned him. "So don't be like your father all the time."

[Songo]

Uru gave a chuckle as Sarabi scolded Mufasa, she stood to her paws and her long chocolate colored tail flicked Ahadi's nose. She looked over her shoulder and smiled, "It's good to know the King's listen when the Queens mean business." she said giving a wink to Sarabi. "Come love...escort me to the watering hole.." she said teasing Ahadi playfully. She bounded down the stone ledges of Pride rock and slowly began to make her way towards the watering hole.


Mufasa rubbed the back of his head embarrassed and he nodded, "I wont.." he said smiling a bit. Once his mother and father were out of sight he gently tackled Sarabi to the ground and gave her a lick on her cheek. "Someone's got a little spunk.." he said with a smirk. "You will be a very demanding Queen." he added. He gently nipped at Sarabi's ear and rolled onto his belly beside her, he was enjoying his life thus far.

[DGFone]

Ahadi grinned and got up. "Well then, my queen," he said slyly, "After you." He let Uru proceed with walking before he followed her. The two of them walked, not too slowly, but still taking their time.

"You know," Ahadi started to say, "Soon will be the best time to start Mufasa's and Sarabi's training. It will be the wet season, so the days will be colder, and with the rain, there will be more plentiful grass, so the kingdom is easier to manage." He told Uru. "So we won't have to worry about Sarafina as much, nor will she be so shocked at the demands placed upon her." He thought for a while as the two of them continued to walk down to the waterhole. "Poor girl," he muttered, "She has no idea what she's getting into, never the less. I hope her friendship with Sarabi is worth it." He said.


Sarabi laughed as Mufasa played with her. "Well I better be a demanding queen," she replied, "Or you will be a lousy king!" She sighed happily. "I can't wait to begin our training! Can you?" She asked. "And we'll do it together! This is so much better than what you told me will happen!"

[Songo]

Uru strolled beside Ahadi, "Well when the rainy season comes it will definitely be alot easier to train Sarabi and Mufasa and run the Pride. I think Sarafina has been looking for something to keep her busy. Sarabi has Mufasa and now and there aren't to many other males in our area you know." she said softly. Her honey colored eyes gazed up at Ahadi and her paw lifted as she tugged on his mane playfully. "My aren't you handsome...you're the best looking lion around here. I wonder who that lucky lioness is that has you in her grasp." she added winking and running ahead towards the watering hole. She loved the extra time she got to spend with Ahadi, it seemed like today was going to be a peaceful day.


Mufasa chuckled at Sarabi, "As long as I have you by my side. We can start whenever.." he said whispering in her furry ear. "Do you think our love will be as strong as my mom and dads? Or my grandma's and grandpas? I feel like their love is endless for eachother...It'll always be you and me." he added gazing into her brown eyes. Sarabi was beautiful, "You are the most beautiful thing I've ever laid eyes on...even prettier then the sunset." he whispered.

[DGFone]

"And I wonder who this lucky lion who has you is." Ahadi replied, smiling. When Uru ran off, Ahadi waited a while, letting her gain a lead. "You're amazing, Uru," he muttered as he watched her run off, "I still can't believe I have you." He got up and prepared to charge after her. "And now you get to find out just how fast yo are!" He said to himself as he sprang forwards, and chased after his queen.


Sarabi knew her answer. "You don't need to doubt yourself, Mufasa," she said, rubbing her head against his. "It will take more than anything the world can throw at us to make me stop loving you." She grinned. "Not when I have the most handsome lion as my husband! Even the Great Kings are jealous, I am sure of that!" She lay next to Mufasa, content to simply spend time with him.

A few weeks later...

Ahadi coughed a little before proceeding with his teachings. "Anyways, Mufasa, with elephants, always remember that they have an excellent memory, and they will not hesitate to remind you of that fact. They can help you in certain situations, but in other times, their knowledge will make your job... difficult." He told Mufasa before coughing again. With the wet season well in, the Pridelands were much wetter and greener. But at the same time, a mild illness swept though the pride, leaving most coughing for a few days, with the worst having to stay at the den for a few days.

Ahadi looked over at Uru and Sarabi Both lionesses already got over their illness, and now Uru was busy teaching something to Sarabi about becoming a queen. Ahadi sighed and turned back to Mufasa. "Elephants can and will remember the laws you impose, but if you forget them, elephants will gladly 'remind' you of what you forgot. As in, they will change it to suit themselves better, so you need to be very aware of that should you have to rely on one for consultation..." He continued to teach to Mufasa, sometimes having Sarabi come over to listen as well, other times Uru took over and taught both Mufasa and Sarabi at the same time. Ahadi was glad that their way of teaching worked, and no one complained of loneliness.

It was at such a moment, when Uru had both Mufasa's and Sarabi's attention, when he spotted a shadow swoop over him. He looked up and saw Zuzu approach him. Looking down quickly, Ahadi frowned when he didn't see Sarafina. "What's going on, Zuzu? Did something happen to Sarafina?" He asked.

The majordomo shook her head. "Nah. I left her with Zazu. He knows enough already that I trust him. No, sire. It's... dire." She said softy.

Ahadi didn't like that tone, not the words. "What do you mean?" He asked, hoping that Uru and the others won't hear them.

Zuzu pointed a wing at Uru. "Her parents, sire. They are sick..."

Ahadi sighed. "Everyone are sick, Zuzu," as if to prove it, he had to cough again. "How bad is it?" He asked, showing that he understood the message.

Zuzu closed her eyes briefly. "You better come with me." She said. "All of you."

Ahadi's hear fell. He nodded and walked over to Uru and the others. "Uru, Sarabi, Mufasa..." He said softly, "We need to head back to Priderock. Follow Zuzu." He said. Ahadi let Mufasa and Sarabi take the lead so that he could tell Uru privately. "Zuzu says your parents are sick. She din't say how badly, but implied that it's bad. Dire, she said." He told Uru, worried.


Sarabi looked back at Uru and Ahadi. "What's going on, Mufasa?" She asked. "They act like something's terrible happened, but I don't see anything wrong... Is it about Sarafina?" Sarabi hoped that her friend would be fine.

[Songo]

Uru's eyes flickered with fear as Ahadi relayed the message from Zuzu and the Queen dashed off to her parents den in a worry. Was this the end for them? A frown crossed her muzzle as she slowly stepped into the den and saw her father and mother laying next to eachother, their coughs seem to be very bad. "Mom...Dad..Are you okay? I came as soon as Zuzu..told me. Why didn't you tell me you were so sick.." she said rubbing her head off her mother's and gently nuzzling her father. Tears filled her eyes as she gazed at them laying there, they looked so frail and in pain.


Kamaria's head raised a bit as Uru joined them and she let out a small sigh followed by a few coughs. She rested her head down on Mohatu's paws her eyes only able to look at her daughter, she spoke softly. "The Great Kings are calling us...we've seen so much in our life Uru. I couldn't of asked for a better daughter or grandcubs..." she sputtered out with a few more coughs.


Mufasa shook his head as he followed Zuzu and he looked Sarabi, "I dont know.." he muttered and noticed his mother run towards his grandparents den. He bounded off after her and walked into the den slowly panting, "Grandma? Grandpa.." he said his brown eyes noting their state. He frowned and moved closer.

Uru's paw lifted as she squeezed Mufasa's shoulder and her head turned to look back as Sarabi and Ahadi finally made it to the den.

Kamaria smiled at Mufasa, "You are strong and wise Mufasa and you have a beautiful Queen. Don't forget that its okay to lead with your heart." she whispered softly. Her blue eyes fell on Sarabi, "Take care of him Sarabi, your strong willed and I know you will give Mufasa a run for his money." she teased. When Ahadi stepped beside Uru she grinned, "You Ahadi have been the best thing to ever happen to my Uru, you've given her love and a wonderful family. I don't know I'll ever be able to repay you dear, but I still say thank you. I love you all very much." she whispered before coughing more.

[DGFone]

Ahadi and Sarabi ran after Uru, but slowed down when they entered the den. Ahadi looked over Mohatu and Kamaria, only to close his eyes, not wanting to believe it. He opened them again slowly, and wished that he was dreaming. There was no denying it: his parents in law were dying. Ahadi slowly walked over, and sat besides Uru. His mate was already crying softly. Ahadi placed a paw on her gently, and tried to fight back his own tears.

When Kamaria spoke to him, Ahadi had to lean over somewhat to hear her. "You have made me who I am," he told her, "I wouldn't be here without you." Ahadi gulped back a sob so that he could speak again. "Thank you, Kamaria. Thank you for everything." He rubbed his head against hers before pulling away slowly, and walked around her over to Mohatu.


Mohatu was comforting Mufasa and Sarabi when Ahadi stepped into view. He coughed, and then smiled a little before talking again. "Ahadi, you are the best king I could hope for. You brought me so much joy when you wandered over to us, and how you made Uru's life complete... And now I have two great grand-kids, and you, Mufasa, take care of Sarabi. She will make a great queen, I can tell you that much. Let her be your other half..." He had to stop due to coughing again. "I know that we don't have much time left," he said, and saw the horrified faces. "Don't be sad. The circle of life will carry on. And I will go join the Great Kings with Kamaria with me." He said.

Uru also walked over then, and Mohatu decided to say one more thing. "I have one final request from all of you: Bring back Taka. He doesn't deserve to live in isolation..." More coughing. "... and neither do you. Bring Taka back. This is all I ask." He looked over at Uru. "My daughter, don't be sad. This day was bound to happen someday, and frankly, I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner. You are strong. Be brave. Show yourself that you are stronger than Ahadi." At this, Uru gave off a small smile. "You gave me the best life I could have hoped for... I have lived long enough to see my own grandson get married to the best lioness he could get..." Mohatu said. "Now it is time for my life to end." He coughed again. "Remember: I love you all as my own children," he said, addressing everyone, including Ahadi and Sarabi. "I love you all. Remember." He repeated again.


Ahadi nodded. "We will get Taka back." He said. "I promise." He was about to say some more things, but he lost his voice and couldn't, so he resorted to comforting Uru as he tried to tame his own grief. After a while, he got up quickly and walked over to Zuzu. "Get Rafiki," he told her. The majordomo looked at him, confused. "They won't live for long. Rafiki will know what to do once... it is over." He said. Zuzu nodded and took off.


Next to them, Sarabi felt surreal. Having lived with her mother most of her life separately, she didn't have as strong as a bond to Mohatu and Kamaria as the others did. But seeing Mufasa in tears was enough for her to feel sad as well, and seeing as she was technically part of the family, she joined them as they surrounded the two dying lions. But eventually, she couldn't handle it anymore. Sarabi pressed her muzzle into Mufasa's mane and broke down, sobbing. "Please, Mufasa, I can't take it anymore!" She cried.