Kion's Legacy

Chapter Three: The Not-So-Good Reason

Image of Kion

 We reached Pride-rock, and went directly to the den. Inside, we saw Nala, Kiara, my mother, Tian, Asha, Koda, Amira, and some of the other lionesses. They were all sitting in a circle around a deceased zebra that would be our dinner.

"Hey mom!" I said as I trotted up to her. I licked her cheek.

"Hello, sweetie." she replied, with a nuzzle.

Vitani sat down next to Aunt Kiara. I sighed, and smiled u pat my mother.

"Go ahead and join the cubs, dear." My mother said.

"Okay." I said slowly, remembering their reactions earlier. 

I slowly dragged my paws across the cave floor, over to my cousins and friends. I sat down between Tian and Koda.

"Hi!" I said, testing them.

Tian grunted, and Koda squeaked "Hi". I turned my gaze to the zebra. I stared at the unique stripes that zigged and zagged on the zebra's white fur. I noticed this one had a cut on his leg. 

He was injured. I thought. From a young age, us pridelanders learned about the circle of life. The animals in the pride-lands all respect the circle of life, carnivores only kill old or injured animals so the healthy ones can live. 

"Are we waiting for something?" I asked. I wished my mother was paying attention, but she was chatting with Vitani and Kiara.

Tian grunted again. 

"Uh-huh," Koda replied.

"What are we waiting for?" I inquired. I looked to my right, trying to get Tian to answer. But he didn't lift his gaze from the zebra's striped pattern.

"We're waiting for daddy, and grandpa." Koda said.

Simba and Kovu must be on patrol. I thought.

But "Oh," was all I said.

After about another ten minutes, King Kovu and Simba walked into the den, looking happy as ever.

"Daddy!" Koda called, leaving his place to jump on top of his father. Kovu stumbled, but regained his balance. 

"Hi, son!" he greeted.

"Hello, father." Asha chirped, prancing up to him to rub against his leg.

"Hey, sweetheart." he replied, reaching his head down and pulling his chin over her back.

Simba just silently pawed over to is mate, Nala, with a smile on his face. They rubbed heads. Simba wasn't really old, he was just about the right age for a young grandfather.

"Who is ready for lunch?" Kiara asked.

The group of cubs erupted with "yes"es and "I am"s.

"Let's eat then!" she called.

I noticed the other cubs, walking back to their places around the zebra. I slipped out of my place, and padded to the tail end of the zebra. I plopped down and sighed. I looked up to see the lions digging into their meal. Then, I heard someone behind me. I turned around. My grandfather, Simba, was standing behind me, smiling.

"It looks like someone is eating alone." he said.

I nodded. 

"Well, I guess It's up to me to fix that." he said. He gently picked me up by the scruff, and walked over to his place. He sat me down in between himself and Nala. They smiled. I did too.

We bit pieces off of the zebra and swallowed it until it was gone. I followed other lions to the rock platform to have our "Pride time", which is just a time for the pride members to mingle and watch the sun set. We only watch on certain days, not everyday. Anyway, I walked behind Nala and Simba as we made our way to the larger platform. I was about to prance over to where the cubs were visiting, when my aunt motioned for me to come over to her. I cocked my head and trotted over to an area where no one was. She followed me.