THE LION KING: THE HEART OF ZION

CHAPTER 3

TRIGGER WARNING: We get into some of the heavier parts of Sam's past here. So be prepared for some abuse talk.

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"Sam, why don't you want to be adopted?"

Sam knew Bakari meant well, but he didn't want to answer that morning. He looked from the perch above the watering hole Zazu had accompanied them to and back to his young friend quietly. How did he explain what he had felt was wrong with him? How did one even explain that they thought they were cursed?

Maybe cursed was a bit extreme - but Sam had horrible luck with parents. Even David, who had just apprenticed him, was dead now. But his mother had abandoned him, and died in her case. Then, he'd had two different people take him off the street before David. Both had thrown him out too at the first sign of trouble or any trauma from him.

Maybe if they looked harder they'd understand how badly his mom had treated him. They'd see the old scars, and the feeling of fear at the mention of her. But no one really looked that hard. "Being adopted isn't a bad thing you know," Bakari continued as he pulled him from his thoughts. "My grandpa was adopted by Timon and Pumbaa! So was my great uncle, Bunga."

Sam would have to ask who Timon and Pumbaa were later. But for now he wanted out of this subject. "It's not that I'm against it, Bakari," Sam explained as he crouched to his level. "I've just never had a family... Before David I was on my own."

"Didn't you ever have a mom and dad?"

Sam turned to his friend at that point and had to keep his anger down. He had to remind himself that Bakari was younger than him, he didn't quite grasp how uncomfortable Sam was yet. "I had a mom," Sam managed after a moment. "But she didn't like me very much. Not after my dad left..."

Bakari seemed to get it then, his eyes grew sad. Perhaps it was too harsh a reality, Sam figured as he crouched to the watering hole for a drink. "Hey, human!" Ugh. As if his day wasn't already annoying, he now had to deal with this clown. "You're still here? Haven't become someone's lunch?"

Sam turned to face one of the croc's from a nearby float, the unfortunately named Mwoga. He was around Sam's age, he figured, but a lot less mature. Instead choosing to be bratty and loud. While most of the animals that didn't approve of Sam just glared in silence, he and his float had taken to being very vocal about it.

Unfortunately for them, Bakari was a good friend. And as a future king himself, his vocal acceptance of Sam did help somewhat among the younger crowd. "Back off Mwoga. Sam is a member of my Pride now," He spoke up - almost protectively. "If you got a problem with him. You have a problem with me."

The croc gave a low laugh. "And I'm supposed to be afraid of that? Get real," He mocked. "Your mom isn't even queen yet. By the time you're king, he'll definitely be someone's lunch."

Bakari's growl told Sam it was time to at least attempt to de-escalate the situation. "Hey let's all relax. There's plenty of room for all of us here," Bakari looked over with annoyance. "It's a beautiful morning... We should all enjoy -."

"Aw, stuff it with this preachy crap," Mwoga snorted. "You sound like the old man up there."

Sam crossed his arms, definitely not enjoying this by this point. That said, he also didn't want to cause any trouble - especially not with the "majordomo" around. Granted, Zazu had to join Bakari to keep an eye on him most days, but he could really be a stick in the mud.

Taking a deep breath, Sam chose not to antagonize the croc further. "Come on, Bakari. Let Mwoga be miserable all on his own," Sam finally managed as they started off. Bakari giving a slight growl behind his back. "You can't do that, Kari. Not everyone's going to accept me. All you're doing is making enemies."