The Lion King 3: The Lost King

Chapter Five

Kopa nuzzled Nailah. "Are you sure you must go?"

"I must, Kopa. It is tradition that every lioness leaves their home two months before and two months after giving birth."

"Four months? I still don't understand why you must make this journey."

"To find myself, Kopa. To learn who I truly am before I must teach children who they truly are."

"If you're really sure, then I'll respect that. But be careful, Nailah."

"Of course I will, Kopa." Nailah nuzzled Kopa, then turned. "Farewell."

Kopa watched her as she slowly padded away.

"Kopa, may I speak to you?" Salma asked softly. She looked nervously at her paws. "Oh, Kopa, I'm sorry, but...I've decided Pride life isn't for me. I get a thrill from being alone, of having to fight the world off by myself. I'm sorry, Kopa."

"Of course, Salma. I respect your wishes. Please know that you will always be welcomed back." Kopa pressed his nose to Salma's head, an act of respect.

Salma turned, and, without looking back, trotted off.

"Kopa!"

Kopa turned to see Abikanile, long scratches covering her entire body. "Oh, Kopa, it's Kokumo! She lied, Kopa! There are three lions coming right now, and they're Mabaya's!"

Kopa growled. "Hide the cubs and the other lionesses. In the grass. If you see any of Mabaya's Pride that's not the three lions, roar. We'll get out of there."

Abikanile nodded sadly. "What if I see more lioness slaves?"

"Save them. I trust your judgement, Abikanile."

"Please, Kopa, call be Abi." Abi nuzzled Kopa, then ran off. Kopa walked slowly out, seeing the lions. They were weak-looking.

"Hello, Kopa of the Kopapride." The leading one dipped his head. Kopa stared down at them.

"Kopa, we have a favor to ask."

"Please."

"What is that favor?" Kopa asked, his voice untrusting.

"Recently, I had a daughter. Kurudi. She's beautiful, and I thought maybe she had a chance at life. But she was assigned to be my slave. My own daughter! I couldn't have cubs with my own daughter. I ask that you take her and raise her the right way." The leading lion  explained his story nervously.

"So you are okay when it's someone else's daughter, but it can't be your own?"

The lion looked at his paws. "Please."

"I have a proposal. If I take this cub, every month you must bring me another cub. No males, either. If you don't, I will take this cub to Mabaya and explain to him what you did."

The three lions nodded sadly. They pushed an almost-white lioness cub to Kopa. The lioness whimpered, staring up at Kopa with fear. Kopa grabbed the young cub's scruff.

"Off you go." He growled at the lions. They left regretfully.

"Kurudi, is it?" He asked her softly. The little lioness looked up.

"Mama called me Uzuri Mdogo. Daddy called me Mtumwa Binti." Kurudi stared up, her eyes growing defiant. "What's your name for me?"

"Kurudi." Kopa replied. "I am not like Mabaya. I value all genders."

Kurudi looked up. "Yeah? Well...I...I don't believe you!"

"You will." Kopa smiled. After he introduced the cub to all the adults, he brought her to the Nursing Den. It was more protected than outside, and it was where females went to nurse their cubs.

"Hi, Kurudi! I'm Jumoke!" The little brown lion instantly greeted. "That's Jaja and Jela."

"I'm Sefu." A tall, skinny cub studied his long claws. "That's my idiotic brother Masud and my even more idiotic brother Manyiga."

"I'm Akila, that's Amadi, that's Amina, that's Mandisa, and that's Mashika."

"That's Funsani, I'm Fola, and that's Urbi."

The little cub crouched down. "I'm Kurudi. It means farewell, goodbye, and I will return. Not."

Kurudi turned and trotted out of the den. She plopped down outside, letting the sun warm her fur. The day was growing hotter, but she didn't mind.

"Kopa...it's some strange lion. Says he knows you." Abi murmured, settling next to the lion. "He looks desperate."

Kopa nodded, wandering out absent-mindedly. What he saw was pure shock.

"Haijali?"