behind. He growled softly.

            “Baraka, you need a queen. There’s no one else, at least no one your age. Dailia has Kadiri. Saada is, in her own way, pining for Arif even though he and Akase are having trouble, and then there’s me. I could help. It’s what you need.”

            Baraka shuddered. He was trying desperately to fight his inner emotions, the emotions that threatened to show. He wouldn’t let them. He forced them down. “You’re my friend, but that’s all. You cannot be my queen. We both know you have no interest in ruling or the responsibilities.”

            Hasira chuckled softly and whispered with a passionate voice. She walked up to him and kissed his muzzle. “Please, Baraka, I need you. I love you.”

            “It won’t undo what your mother put you through.”

            “I’m not claiming. I do love you.”

            Baraka wished he heard the sincerity in her voice. But there was none. It was the lust talking. She didn’t love him for him. She was only interested in his position of power, nothing more. He was getting tired and not from the lack of sleep. Again he pulled away and resumed walking. He heard her follow. No matter how hard she tried, he would not submit. He couldn’t. How would it look? She wasn’t his mate and could never be, not even in name. He simply did not love her.

            The burning sensation in his eyes was beginning to grow. He felt her nuzzle him again, kiss his cheek, her tail touching his hind legs. That was it. He couldn’t take it anymore. Roughly, he pulled away and knowing she would come up to him, he faced her with a vicious snarl and hit her with a paw. His eyes were blazing with fire, his chest heaving, and his breathing heavy. He was surprised at his action but he had to do something.

            Hasira looked up at him, mildly surprised. “Baraka… my love…”

            He growled lowly, his tail lashing. “I don’t love you!” he near roared. Before she could speak again, he ran for the safety of Pride Rock.

            When he arrived, his heart was pounding in his chest, his blood boiling. He stumbled and fell on the platform, the platform that held the stairs up to the promontory and the den. Baraka sighed. He didn’t feel like going up the stairs. He was angry and tired, more tired than he had ever been in his life. He couldn’t believe Hasira tried to seduce him. Sure there were the occasional nuzzles and slight kisses on the cheek but never like this. She wouldn’t take a hint. In the past it was different but this time she had been determined.

            Baraka shut his eyes, grunted and then rose, searching for a nearby place to sleep. He didn’t feel like going into the den. He knew what would happen. But the same would happen no matter where he slept. He saw the lower caves. Good a place as any.

            Sighing, he went inside and settled down almost comfortably on the floor, but he wouldn’t have a peaceful sleep. He put his head down on his paws. His head felt heavy, his body the same. The dizziness was near gone but his vision swam. He closed eyes a few seconds later, the exhaustion over what happened only moments ago overwhelming his tired mind and body.

            But his sleep would not be pleasant. The dreams haunted him again and they were worse than ever. He didn’t even whimper.

Chapter 12: Phantoms

Baraka slowly woke. His eyes were bloodshot, almost drained of their beautiful, majestic green color. His face looked tired, worn, and his whiskers were bent. Waking from sleep had alarmed, but relieved him. His sleep had not been pleasant, in fact it had been the worst sleep he’d had in a long time. How he so desperately wished for a peaceful night!

            He looked around the cave, his face falling. The lower cave had been a good place to sleep but Baraka would not stay there and cut himself off from his pride. He simply couldn’t, wouldn’t do that. He would not be like his great-great uncle Scar. Baraka was pleased enough to have taken one of the side caves in the main den as his private home, but that was all.

            Breathing softly, the king slowly rose to his feet, his body and legs aching from pain. He walked out of the cave, stretched, then walked up the stone stairs. He saw the den but didn’t go in. The pride was still asleep, so no one would be up, but the sun would be in a matter of minutes. The sky’s colors were becoming bright. Then he looked down at Etana. She was still there, beside the den, sleeping peacefully. He was tempted to wake her but shook off the idea. He had to stop acting so needy. What was wrong with him that every time he had a problem or needed someone to talk to, it was always her?

            Baraka shut his eyes, feeling pain and guilt. He couldn’t think about it. Opening his eyes again, he noticed a figure on the promontory. With natural curiosity, he walked up and sat down just as the sun began to rise.

            He saw who it was and managed a small smile. “Good morning, Father.”

            Kovu returned the gesture. “Good morning, Baraka. How are you?”

            “I’m alright.”

            Kovu wasn’t a fool. The tone of his son’s voice was different, soft, and in pain. “No, you’re not. When I woke you weren’t in your cave. Have a bad dream? Did you sleep in the lower caves?”

            “No… not really… And yes, I did sleep in the lower caves.”

            His father nodded. “Okay, but if you need anything, let me know, alright?” He smiled gently.

            “Thanks.”

            They sat in silence a long time. As the sun continued its beautiful ascent into the sky, the two lions were in awe.

            For Baraka it was the start of a new day, something he needed. Last night had shaken and confused him, but it also brought up the same painful questions. What was he doing with his life? Why was he avoiding all lionesses, avoiding the thought of marriage and parenthood? What was he afraid of? Baraka closed his eyes. The light of the sun fell on Pride Rock and it warmed the Lion King’s body, but on the inside he felt nothing. No warmth. All he felt was the coldness he had endured the night before. After that, he wasn’t sure if he could ever sleep with any amount of peace again.

            But Kovu had to smile broadly at the sunrise. It always gave him a sign of hope for his future and his family. But it also reminded him of a very special memory, one he still thought of even after four years. It was one he’d remember till the day he died…

            “Kovu… Kovu, wake up.”

            The brown lion groaned. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he looked up to see a golden form staring down at him, its red eyes carrying a proud gaze.

            “Simba,” asked Kovu, rubbing his tired eyes with a paw. “What is it?”

            The Lion King smiled. “Come with me. It’s early but there’s something I need to show you.” Before his son-in-law could speak, the great lion turned and walked out of the den.

            Surprised and confused, Kovu got up carefully. He didn’t want to wake Kiara, who was sleeping with their newborn sons, Prince Baraka and Prince Arif, in her forelegs. He smiled at them and followed the King, but walked at a respected distance. After a few minutes, Kovu noticed that they were walking up the side of Pride Rock’s highest stone. He wondered why Simba was leading him there but pushed the thought out of his