General:

Name: Zuri

Breed: African Lion

Sex: Female

Generation: Kiara’s

Pride: Lekan’s Pride

Rank: Head Lioness

Characteristics:

Personality: Wastrel, generous and cautious. Zuri is seen to give more than receive, and is often not given much credit for her admirable qualities. Zuri lacks self-confidence after all of the maltreatment she has received as a young cub, but makes up for it in grace and modesty. Zuri doesn’t talk much and can be shy at times around bullies. When she meets someone new however, she is open to them.

Talents/ Abilities: Well Zuri is very pretty, which can be used to her advantage if she realized it. Zuri also shows to be a better hunter than her pride-sisters.

Weaknesses: Zuri is so insecure about herself, and lets the words of others get to her at times. However, she does eventually grow out of it when she realizes how beautiful and not-worthless she is.

Dreams: Zuri wants to have a simple and well-lived out life. 

Fears: Zuri doesn't really want to be queen. The whole royality thing scares her, because of all the "what ifs" (e.g. "What if my heir isn't strong?", "What if Lekan is overthrown?" or "What if the hyenas return?" etc.) Zuri just wants a simple life.

Relations:

Parents: ??? (??? X  ???) x ??? (??? X ???)

Siblings: None

Mate: Lekan

Cubs: None yet

Allies: Lekan, Vitani, Mkali, Kijana

Rivals: Kiara and Kovu

History:

As a young cub, Zuri was abandoned by her parents. Lucky for Zuri, she was found by a hunter who kept Zuri alive and sold Zuri to a wildlife program. Zuri was put in a group of other lionesses, and when she reached an age old enough to survive in the wild with the other lionesses, Zuri and two other lionesses named Mkali and Kijana would be released into the wild once more.

However, Zuri was the youngest, and Mkali and Kijana were teenagers. They found Zuri annoying, despite the fact that Zuri was always polite to them and respected them. Zuri never bothered to disturb them, and kept to herself in fear that the lionesses might hurt Zuri.

One night, a cobra slivered its way through the fence from the savannah beyond. Mkali and Kijana were relaxing under the stars in the grass under a tree. Zuri was climbing the small tree when she noticed the snake coming for Mkali from behind. Zuri thought fast and pounced on the cobra right before it took a lethal bite at Mkali. Alarmed, the lionesses jumped back as they watched Zuri quickly kill the cobra.

Shocked that Zuri saved their life Mkali asked,”Why did you do that?”

Scared Zuri crouched up and muttered, “I didn’t want it to hurt you.”

“But we’ve never been nice to you. Why would you do that?” Kijana asked.

“Because I thought pride sisters look out for each other.” Zuri looked away and lurked off leaving the two lionesses looking at each other in shock.

Mkali and Kijana were less harsh on Zuri after that night, and eventually they began to groom Zuri and care for her as their own. The three became good friends, and when Zuri was an adolescent the three lionesses were removed from the lion refuge and placed into the wild.

Zuri found it easy to adjust to the wild, while her pride sisters had a bit of trouble with it. The three lionesses roamed the savannah for quite some time until Zuri came across a male lion about her age named Lekan. Lekan helped Mkali and Kijana adjust to the wild, and also offered his protection against other predators in exchange for going with the lionesses.

Lekan was quickly allowed into the small band, and made it a pride. The lionesses began to let Lekan lead the way, and the four lions traveled around. It wasn’t until a few years later where Lekan had a very upsetting dream that kept on reoccurring every night that Lekan decided to journey back to the pridelands. Zuri, Mkali and Kijana went with Lekan to the pridelands, where they met Simba’s pride (Lekan’s birth pride).

Lekan’s lionesses stayed in the Pridelands for a while, and during that time Zuri mingled with the other lionesses but experienced some serious bullying from most of the lionesses. Zuri met Vitani, and the two became good friends after Vitani stands up for Zuri to the outlanders. It is Vitani who points out that Zuri will more than likely be queen if Lekan decides to reclaim the throne. This causes Zuri to realize her feelings for Lekan, however, Zuri is absolutely terrified of having cubs and her future.

Zuri confides in Vitani about almost everything, but becomes distant for a while when Kovu threatens to exile Zuri for corrupting the pride. Zuri becomes rather unsure of herself once more and asks Lekan if they can leave. Mkali and Kijana agree as well, and Lekan says that they will depart the next sunrise.

The band of four awakens before dawn and begin to leave the Pridelands. As Lekan nears the border, he hears a familiar voice shouting behind him. Lekan turns his head to see Zazu chasing after Lekan’s pride. Lekan stops and waits for Zazu to catch up. When Zazu arrives he lands on Mkali's back and says, “Sire, your father is on his death bed. He wishes to speak to you before his passes!”

Lekan didn’t waste a second and sprinted back to pride rock with Zuri, Mkali, and Kijana at his heels. When Lekan arrives he enters the den alone while Zuri, Mkali, and Kijana wait outside with the Outlanders and Pridelanders.

While waiting outside, Zuri spots Vitani and walks over to speak with her. Zuri asks Vitani what happened, but Kovu stares Vitani down and Vitani is pale faced. Zuri glances as Kovu then says to Vitani, “Vitani, if you are unhappy here come with Lekan and me.”

Kovu comes over and snarls, “My sister is not going anywhere!”

Mkali shouted at Kovu, “Why not?! She’s an adult and is able to make her own choices.”

Vitani gets angry and yells at Kovu, “I’m not staying.”

When Lekan appears from the den, he finds Kovu and Kiara stiffly sitting with the other lions. He mutters something into Rafiki’s ears, making the baboon nod his head respectively. Lekan walked up to Kiara and says, “It was nice to see you sister but,” Lekan looked directly at Kovu, “It seems we have overstayed our welcome.”

Lekan turns to walk down pride rock. He stops and nods his head to let Zuri, Mkali, Kijana, and Vitani walk ahead of him. Lekan doesn’t look back as he leaves the Pridelands. The pride eventually finds themselves in a small savannah area past the mountains. This is where Zuri settles down with her pride and focuses on family and love.

To be continued…

Other:

Modifications: None

Name Meaning: "beautiful" in Swahili.

Relation to the Lion King: A part of Lekan’s pride (Lekan is the son of Simba and Nala) and has become good friends with Vitani.

Credits:

Original Images © Universal Studios & Amblin Entertainment

Design and character © Somes.

Body Template by xXMandiiXx.deviantart.com/

Head Template by SixNewAdventures.deviantart.com/