Waking The Dead Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I watched as Nuka and Vitani lit the fires across the Pridelands, my eyes shined in the light of it as I watched predator and prey alike flee from the engulfing flame that washed across the land.

Zira, Kovu and I walked to the ridge of a grassy hill and watched as Simba's daughter fled through the burning undergrowth. Kovu sat with a militant stance and waited for his mother's word, as soon as she uttered the word 'go' he leapt down the hill and into the blaze, the fire blew behind him and flanked him as he followed her trail across the Pridelands.

Zira and I followed Kovu and watched from a great distance as he found the princess unconscious upon a rock; we quickened our pace as he pulled her onto his back and raced towards Pride Rock. I held my breath as I watched the ground fall away from underneath them and they tumbled down a steep slope into a waterhole, upon resurfacing I started to breathe again, I saw him pull the princess out of the water and set her down. She started coughing and heaving and spitting out water, and then got up and talked defiantly to him.

We crouched atop the slope and watched as Simba's pride moved in and encompassed the two young lions, after roaring challenges and exchanged remarks, Simba turned and Kovu followed. Zira sat up sharply, ears forwards, a sadistic smile spreading across her face.

'Here we go my love.'

I smirked at her unconcealed delight and led the way to the scenic route towards Pride Rock, hopefully we would reach it before midnight.

We sat and looked on as Kovu was charged out of the Pridelander's den and made to sleep outside, watching on we could barely contain our growls of contempt for Simba's shrewd actions to one who saved his daughters life. Kiara, which was the princess's name, came out and spoke to Kovu, before bounding off into her den.

'She likes him.' Zira's eyes fired up with delight.

'Perfect.' I replied, my eyes never leaving my son.

Nuka watched and twitched upon the dead log we where sitting on, yowling about Kovu letting her go until Zira had to hush him and explain the plan to him once more.

Nuka got back before Zira who gently paced back to the outlands beside me. Nuka went howling off into the den telling everyone who was awake (and probably some who weren't) how well the plan went and how he had gotten all confused and then Zira had told him and he wasn't confused anymore. Such a simple cub, how I loved that about him. He certainly didn't have Kovu or Vitani's brain, but he made up for it with courage and heart, something right now Kovu seemed lacking in.

For the next few days we waited patiently for news about Kovu, sending scouts in the night to check up on him, after a while we noticed he was no longer outside the den. We assumed he had been allowed inside so soon our plan would be in motion once again, scouts also saw him out with Kiara, utterly besotted by him; he kept her affections on tenterhooks, never allowing her too close.


Zira was getting nervous, she couldn't shake the feeling that Kovu may be falling for the 'Princess'. I kept assuring her and soothing her, but one day it seemed all too obvious she may be right, or so she thought, and headed off to meet Kovu without my knowing.

I looked around the outlands, calling for Zira, her and the lionesses had disappeared, even Nuka was gone, what was going on?

Where is she?!

I paced the border of the outlands, the dusky gloom making my fur feel heavy and my paws feel too big for my legs.

Suddenly a noise came from the Pridelands, over the gorge. Bursting over the log came Kovu, the left side of his face torn and bleeding.

'What happened.' I cried out to him, feeling his pain that I had to bear once all too well.

'Mother! She went mad, I was only under your instructions, it wasn't time to strike yet, she's ruined it, Simba has exiled me and now they all believe me to be conspiring with Mother!'

' No no no! Why would she do this, I told her you were only acting under my orders. I cannot let her do this again, do not tell her anything, stay away from her and the Outlands, you must gain back there trust! Do anything!'

'It's too late Father, I cannot do it!'

'Yes! Yes you can, now come with me, we have much to discuss and Zira will be back soon, I want you to stay in the Pridelands and let Zira think she is right, it will put her off pursuing until she trains up the rest of the pride to take on Simba's.'

'There is another thing father. Nuka, we lost him.'

'Nuka…?'

'He went after Simba when I backed off, I tried to pull Simba up so Nuka would go back down from the dam, but Simba slipped on a log they fell on Nuka!'

I stood there and felt a rush of relief flow over me.

'Don't worry Kovu, it will be alright.'

I quickly explained my plan to Kovu in hushed whispers, keeping on ear fixed towards the Pridelands ready for Zira's return, I ushered him out of the Outlands and went to wash his scent off my fur. When I returned Zira was there, screaming my name.

She flew at me and smacked me with her paw, roaring and crying in full hysterics. I stood there and took everything she threw at me until at last she collapsed into me and sobbed. I hushed her and just let her be, if she knew the rest of the plan I could lose her, I wasn't going to have it, I held my tongue and let her be until her sobs grew weak and her shaking stopped. I held her for the night, she did not sleep, nor did she wake, she just lay there, tears gentling falling onto the dusty earth, sides heaving. The rest of the pride stood around us in a circle with their heads bowed. I let them have their vigil, soon it would all be over.