Prince Regent lowered his. “Baraka…” he began with a soft voice. “It… it’s clear to me, to all of us, that you simply weren’t ready to take a mate. And it was your choice.” He emphasized his last statement. Baraka turned from him. “You’ve always been good at making choices in your life. This is no different.”

            “Yes, it is, Dad,” the new king hissed. “In the entire monarch history of the Pridelands there has always been a king and a queen. And now because of me and my inability to find a good mate, my rule will begin and end with one thing: Being a king, never having a queen. And with no queen there will be no heir. That’s how I’ll be remembered.” His green eyes snapped.

            Kovu gently put a paw on his son’s shoulder. “You just weren’t ready. There’s no harm in that. All the lionesses understand and they still see you as a good lion and a good king.”

            Baraka closed his eyes, an emotional pain washing over him. “Father… there have only been three lionesses born in the Pridelands. Lionesses I grew up with. Kadiri found himself a wonderful partner in Dailia, but those two have a special bond, something that doesn’t happen, at least not often. Then there’s Mabaki but he just wants to live out his life here with us. And Arif… he found his mate by a stroke of luck. Akase is a good lioness who’s been through a lot in her life. Maybe…” He opened his eyes and walked a few steps ahead, pawing at the blades of grass. “Arif just happened to be there when she came to the Pridelands with King Seth’s message.” He managed a smile. “And he does love her. Their cubs… they’ll have good parents raising them.”

            “Don’t forget, Baraka, you’re the uncle. That’s a good honor. It was for me when Nishati and Hidaya first came to the Pridelands with Vitani and Azekel.”

            “Dad, you didn’t come here just to cheer me up.” Baraka faced him. “Why are you really here?”

            Kovu sighed. “I heard that King Seth and Queen Kendra plan to return to the Eastlands today. I told them that I’d come get you so you could see them off.”

            “Where are they?”

            “They’re at Pride Rock…”

            The king turned, running in the direction of their home with Kovu behind him. When they arrived a few minutes later the Eastlanders and some of the Pridelanders were conversing. Baraka and Kovu padded over and Seth, who was in conversation with Arif, kindly left and came to his hosts.

            “Baraka,” the king said warmly, giving a nod to his fellow leader. Kovu left silently going to his mate and the Eastlander Queen leaving the two kings alone.

            “Seth,” Baraka began. “It doesn’t seem long that I was in your lands and we stood like this… and there’s that.” He gestured to his family, seeing them in a circle of harmony.

            “Yes, I know, my friend.” He looked up at him. “Your ceremony was really wonderful, almost as good as mine, not that I’m comparing.” That earned him a gentle shove.

            “Thank you.” Baraka suddenly lowered his head.

            “You’re gonna be a good king, Baraka…” Seth offered kindly.

            “I know.”

            Seth noticed the silence and let it come for a moment, then placed a paw on the older lion’s shoulder. Baraka turned away, willing himself not to lose his temper. “Baraka,” Seth began slowly, feeling his friend shudder. “What I said, you know the day after my ceremony, about you finding someone… you will, I know it. One way or another, somehow, someway, you will find someone.” He said it in deep insistence and paused as Baraka growled softly. Seth took his paw away. “Sorry,” he said sincerely.

            Baraka’s eyes snapped for a moment but soon relaxed. “It’s okay. You were just curious, that’s all. I respect that… I just hope you’re right.”

            Seth only nodded but before he could speak more, Kendra came up to him. He smiled at her and together they turned to the Pridelanders. Seth looked at Arif, his face serious. “Take care of Akase. Be good to her and your cubs. If you mistreat her in any way, my next visit won’t be pleasant.” He smirked and winked.

            The shaman laughed. “Worry not your highness, I love that girl. Never in my life would I think of causing her harm or grief.”

            The two parties laughed softy and soon Seth and Kendra left, heading for their lands. The Pridelanders watched but Baraka’s ears fell, the younger king’s words ringing throughout his head.

            Somehow, someway, you will find someone…

            Baraka squeezed his eyes shut, his heart pounding. None of his family noticed. Kovu and Kiara, after seeing the Eastland leaders’ forms vanish from their sight, quietly slipped away. Arif also left to check on his family, leaving Baraka alone, as if knowing his brother wanted it. Baraka didn’t really care. He welcomed the solitude. He felt he needed it while trying to rid the sudden burst of anger and pain but to no avail. Without realizing it, his front claws came out and dug themselves into the earth.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

In mid afternoon, the pride ate the kills from the previous night, as it was unlawful to hunt on the day of a special occasion. The lionesses ate leisurely. Mabaki had his share then spoke with Kovu and Kiara. Kadiri and Arif took their shares of the kill into the cave, the fathers wanting to be with their wives and cubs. While the rest of the pride was in random conversation, a lioness rose and walked over to the platform stone where Baraka was eating alone. She sat down beside him, staring at him with a bemused expression.

            Baraka felt her eyes on him. He forced the irritation of being interrupted to the back of his mind, and when he looked up at her, feeling the urge to throw up, he managed to smile. “Hi, Hasira,” he mumbled.

            She smiled back. “Hey, Baraka, are you enjoying the meal?”

            He shrugged. “Yes, thank you. How’s yours?”

            “It was good. Would you mind if I join you?”

            Baraka thought for a moment. He didn’t want her near him, knowing well what she would do or say. He couldn’t bear it. He spoke, hoping his words didn’t hurt her feelings. “Uh… thank you, Hasira, but I’d prefer if you didn’t.” Slowly, he met her gaze and continued, seeing her shocked face. “I mean… it’s just today, my new position… it’s overwhelming. I need time to adjust… so, I’m sorry…” He truly was but in another state of mind he wasn’t sorry at all.

            Despite her disappointment, Hasira slowly nodded, her eyes flashing with a hint of anger but she kept herself in check. She looked down at him, wanting so much to nuzzle him or lick his cheek but again she resisted the urge. “No, no,” she said quickly. “I understand. You’re a lion with a heavy burden on your shoulders.” And you have no queen, she added in thought as she began to walk away. A smirk came on her face. Maybe after awhile, when you realize you need help, you’ll come to your senses about me. I love you, Baraka.

            Baraka watched her go, shrugging. He hated the way she looked at him, her eyes always having the look that made him cringe not from fear but from something too difficult to describe. He despised it. He knew she didn’t love him for anything other than his position. When she left to join the other lionesses, he sniffed the air and pulled his head back after a few seconds, shaking it. Pheromones… He shivered.