Lion King (the Cub Days)

Returning Home

Mufasa paced around Pride Rock with his gaze flickering about for his mate and son. He hadn't seen them in two days and he was getting worried. He was tempted to send a search party but he knew that his mate would probably snap at him and tell him he was over reacting.

His ears pricked and he swung his head around. He saw Sarabi padding up the gentle slope to the entrance of the den. A purr rolled in his throat and he surged forward with his claws clicking at the ground. He skidded to a halt and touched his nose to her cheek and purred loudly.

"Hush," she chided although her eyes suggested that she was pleased to see him despite her harsh tone. "Simba's sleeping. He's had a long day."

Mufasa nodded in understanding. "What took so long," he asked as he tried to lower his voice to a growly whisper. He eyed Simba and saw that roots were hooked in his claws. He leaned down and pricked them out gently. He spat them at Sarabi's paws, expecting an answer.

Sarabi gulped and set Simba down. He let out a grumble and curled at her paws and fell back asleep. "Sarafina's mate showed up and wanted Nala," Sarabi confessed. "She fought him off but I wanted to stay to make sure he didn't come back. After that Nala overheard us talking about who had attacked and she bolted. Simba found him close to where she fell the first time. That's how he got the roots between his claws."

Mufasa tipped his head. "You could have brought her here," he pointed out.

Sarabi rolled her eyes. "You know Sarafina would never bring Nala here. She doesn't er want other lionesses to look down on her because of her choices."

Mufasa shrugged his massive shoulders. "Alright. She does know that she's welcome here anytime, right?" The more lionesses he had in one area the better.

Sarabi tensed her muscles. "Yes Mufasa, I've made that very clear to her. However she would rather be alone until Nala's safety is severely threatened and that she feels that she can't handle. Until then she won't come anywhere near Pride Rock unless it's a real emergency."

Simba suddenly yawned and stretched his paws outward. He tried to curl up again but he couldn't get comfortable. "You should take him in," Mufasa suggested as he eyed his sleeping son.

Sarabi ducked her head and scooped up her son. She bounded forward with Mufasa followed. He cast one more look over his shoulder to make sure no one was following them without snaking his way into the den. He saw Sarabi in the half moonlight set down Simba on a small patch of grass. He curled back up and rested a twitching paw over his nose.

Sarabi purred at she watched her son for a bit before lowering beside him. Mufasa stepped over the other lionesses and laid beside his son and mate. He licked her muzzle before drawing back and rested his head on his massive paws. He yawned and showed his fangs. He flicked his tail before falling asleep.