by thanigraphics » October 7th, 2009, 4:02 pm
I think Disney made her intentionally like that, yes.
Here's, as promised, part 2:
teenagers
A time went by, Uru became like a second mother to the cubs she had to watch. Sarabi, Sarafina and Zira felt comfortable in her presence. The old queen played with the cubs, told them stories about her hunts when she was younger, and teached them how to pounce, hunt, jump and, most of all, how to have fun. Sarabi and Sarafina became best friends, they were really stuck together. Taka stayed close to his mum, so did Zira. For her, Uru was her mum. The greatest mom she could ever wish for after all she has been trough. She almost forgot about her past.
But when time went by, the cubs became teenagers. And that ment they were no longer under Uru's supervision. A younger lioness, a skilled huntress, took the three lionesses with her. Taka stayed with Uru. Taka was happy with that. His mom was his again. No stupid girls bothering him and his mom anymore. Taka watches the tree teenage lionesses, following the huntress.
The huntress introduced herself to the three lionesses. "I'm Yani, and I was trained by a very well-known huntress when I was your age. Wanna guess who?"
The three cubs had no clue. "Uru, she was very wise and skilled, she has tought me verything. I have deep respect for her."
"Woah," said Sarabi. "I'm really curious about your skills then!"
"I'll show you....right now!" Yani answered. "Now stay low, watch....and learn!"
Yani climbed onto a rock, and jumped off it. It was like three metres, but she landed perfectly. After doing that, she catched three mice. "Here, for you." She gave the three lionesses a mouse. "Now, I'd like to see your skills, ladies!"
Sarafina started. She crawled on her belly, towards a little beetle that just has landed on a rock. She pounced quickly and catched the insect.
"Very nice, now you, Sarabi!" Yani said.
Sarabi ran off a few hundred metres. After a while she came back with a dead bird in her mouth. "Yani, this is for you!"
"How sweet! Well done Sarabi! Now Zira, it's your turn. Give it a go!"
But Zira was gone.
A few teenage boys were playing. Taka watched them, but didn't join in. Even if he'd wanted to, they wouldn't let him join. Because he wasn't popular and strong, like his brother. Taka was older now. He started thinking about Ahadi not taking him with his lessons. He know that Mufasa was chosen to be king since he was stronger. But Taka knew that strenght isn't everything. "I might be weaker, but if they just gave me a chance! I'd show them I'm worthy as a king!" Taka's older brother Mufasa didn't pay much attention to him anymore. He was playing with the young males, they were all fit and strong. Lionesses glared at them.
The only lioness that ever payed attention to him, was his mother. And another lioness. She was watching him again. It was Zira. Taka wondered why she wasn't with the hunters.
Zira layed down. She watches the boys and the brown lion with the black mane. Uru's son. He always had a thing about him, she couldn't name it. He never payed attention to her, just like the others. That was why she could easily sneak away with that hunt. Who cares if she's able to hunt? Zira didn't even consider trying. "I'm not ready yet. No more hunts with those Sarafina and Sarabi. Everybody always picks me last. Even our teacher Yani."
She started staring at Taka again. He was like hypnotizing to her. Mysterious, and different. She was different too. Not like the others. Not popular. An outcast inside the pride. Just like her.
"Hey! Shouldn't you be hunting by now?" a male voice woke her up from her daydream. A teenage lion stood right next to her. It was one of Mufasa's friends. "Well?"
"Not your business. Go away." Zira sighed. But the lion wasn't going away. "Zuka! Come over here!" A greyish brown lion ran towards her, too. The two lions started to walk in circles around her. "I know why you're not hunting. Yani has sent you away!" smirked one of the lions. "You're unable to be taking hunting lessons, aren't you?" the other lion started too.
"....I know why you're unable, you're unfit to be one of the Pride Lions! Uru just took you in out of pity!" Zira growled "So what! Go away now, and leave me be!"
"Okay, don't get mad now, I wouldn't want to get hurt by one of your mighty paws....or killed because of your, well, great hunting skills!" The two lions walked away, laughing.
She was alone again. No one even stood up for her, while those two were bothering her. No one was even watching....or was there? Zira looked behind her. Taka was standing there.
"Oh! Eh...I was..." Zira started, a bit scared by the sudden presence of her beloved one.
"Don't ever let them do that again!" Taka started. "What are you talking about?" Zira answered. She was suprised he was talking to her. It was like the first time a lion of her age said something that wasn't ment to hurt her. "Look. Those popular and strong lions, they think they are gods. Just because they're handsome and fast. But inside, they're empty. They pick on the weaker ones. Like us."
Us. He said "us." Zira looked at Taka with a kind of smile.
"Keep your face normal. You're scaring me. Well, you know what, Zira, stay with me. I'll protect you against those bullies."
Zira didn't want protection. But the presence of Taka, she couldn't wish for more.
"Okay, I'll stay with you!"