roared as Rafiki pulled up on his arm gently, “Hey! Careful!” The mandrill released him, and sighed a bit.

“Simba, if we do not make your arm move, then it will be harder later.” Simba grumbled at Rafiki.

“I know, I know. Its just that it hurts a lot when you do that. And don’t you think ten times in enough?” the lion inquired. Rafiki shook his head with a sagely tone.

“Simba, you have to trust me. I have seen this before. I can help it.” Simba sighed audibly, and re-balanced himself on his back, preparing for the stretch again. Rafiki gently took his paw, and began extending it up towards his head. Another moan of pain from Simba, told him when to stop. As he was holding, his mind flashed to the last time he had seen this.

The panther’s name was Amathambo, and he was a bit different from the average panther. Large, like a small lioness, and built like an adult male lion. His injury had come in a battle with an adolescent lion. Although Rafiki never knew the full extent of how the battle happened, tending to the ailing panther was the most important thing at the time. The mandrill had tried his hardest, and the friendship between the two was cemented. The panther worked hard and they thought that it was strong enough to go on. However, Amathambo’s shoulder never fully recovered, and he spent the rest of his life scavenging on smaller prey and humans. The last Rafiki heard from him, was a day before he was killed.

“Rafiki?”

“Yes Thambo? What can I do for you?” the mandrill asked, hopping down from his tree. Amathambo had a pensive look on his face. The type of look one gets when they can feel something about to happen.

“I fear for myself old friend.” the panther started, “My habits have put me in danger and I do not know how I will be able to survive much longer.” Rafiki’s face fell, knowing the extent of what his words meant. Amathambo continued, “I just wanted to be sure that you knew how much I appreciate you, your friendship, and helping me get back on my paws.” Rafiki could only smile at this, and with no words to say, he embraced the much larger animal.

“Fare well Thambo. I only wish there was something more I could do for you.” The panther, aging slightly and looking worn, smiled at him.

“You have done all you could. And that is more than anyone can ask for.” With that, the dark apparition walked out of the clearing. Neither had a dry face, but neither knew how soon it would be the last time seeing each other. The next day, Amathambo was hewed down by several of his easier prey. Although Rafiki was not there, the bloodstained pawprint he found a few weeks later told him the entire story.

“It will not happen again.” he told himself intensely. Without knowing it, he had been increasing pressure on poor Simba, who reminded him with a roar.

“Rafiki!” The startled mandrill let his arm rest, breaking out of his reverie.

“My apologies Simba.” he said, “This old mind tends to wander a bit you know.” Rolling to his side for a more comfortable rest, the lion grumbled to himself.

“Oh yes, I know for sure.” Rafiki went around to the other side and began to massage Simba’s ailing shoulder a little, eliciting a somewhat comical face of pain from the lion. Simba turned to Rafiki, who’s face looked a bit bleak. He spoke softly to him. “You know, I don’t blame you for this my friend.”

“Hmm?” Rafiki asked, “What makes you say that?”

“Well, you looked a bit down. And that’s unusual for you.” Simba said kindly, “Is anything wrong?”

“Wrong!?” Rafiki laughed suddenly, “Nothing’s wrong! Everything is just fine.” Simba was not convinced, and sighed a little.

“Rafiki…”

“Simba!” called another voice, coming up from the right. It was Nala, trotting towards them eagerly. Rafiki silently thanked her for the interruption, and smiled widely.

“It’s the queen” he said buoyantly looking at Simba. However, Simba was not too pleased.

“Nala? What are you doing out here? Who is with the pride?”

“Sarabi is taking care of things I’m sure love,” she said confidently, “I had to come see how you were doing.” The slight edge of worry in her voice did not miss Simba’s ears, and he tilted his head at her for a moment. Her smile belied the true thoughts of concern in her head, and Simba knew it. It gave him a warm feeling to know that she was so concerned.

“I’m fine dear,” he nodded in indication to Rafiki, “Rafiki here is just helping me stretch my shoulder. It feels sort of good to move it again.” Nala smiled at the two.

“Great! That means I’m just in time to help.” Simba’s look suddenly wavered.

“Err, help?”

“A good idea my queen!” Rafiki chortled, much to Simba’s dismay. “We are stretching right now and its time for another round. Onto your belly you big cub!” he joked. However, the innocent joke hit Simba directly in his heart and forced him to look away sadly. He already felt like a cub, and to have his mate here to see him weak like this bothered him. He paused a moment, the uncomfortable look on his face enough to catch Nala’s eye.

“What’s wrong Simba?” She asked, feeling like she had asked that question a hundred times in the past three weeks. Simba opened his mouth to speak, then sighed and shook his head softly.

“Nothing.” he said, rolling onto his belly. A short glance at Simba made Nala understand, and she transmitted the knowledge silently to Rafiki with a look. Sighing a bit, Rafiki gently took Simba’s paw and started pulling it back. While Simba winced a little, before groaning aloud, Nala came around in front and kissed him deeply on the muzzle. Simba’s eyes popped open in surprise as his mate gazed lovingly into his eyes.

“Just remember Simba,” she said in a heavy and seductive tone, “I would never kiss a cub that way.” Her words brought a smile to Simba involuntarily, and he blushed fiercely under his fur. Rafiki released his stretch, and allowed the two a moments time to share their love. Inside, he felt things would be okay. His previous patient never had the advantage of a pride to back him up. With a wisdom that could only come from years of healing, the mandrill knew that it was going to take a lot of love for Simba to get through this difficult time.

Time is short,

Time is infinite.

Time is subjective,

Time is omnipotent.

Time is merciless,

Time is forgiving.

Time is sweet,

Time is self-fulfilling.

Time is brain,

Time is brawn.

And before you know it,

Time is gone.

Simba endured his daily torture sessions valiantly and with purpose. The stretching, attempted walks, and exercises took a heavy toll on him, but he continued to press on. More than once, he had been reduced to tears over his condition, but more than always, someone was there to comfort him. Nala faithfully arose to assist in his therapy every morning. Although running the pride, caring for cubs, and dealing with her big cub was difficult; the lioness remained rock steady, and rose to the challenge. Rafiki often assured him that he was doing fine, and that it would all end soon.

Simba arose, and walked carefully to the end of the promontory. The early morning winds caressed his leonine form as they passed around him. Watching the sun rise from the east was a satisfying thing indeed, considering the many times he had inadvertently wished he wouldn’t. With a smile, he turned and proceeded into the main cave, pleased at his current condition. For the first time since the injury, he was walking on all four paws normally. Testing it out, he found that there was minimal pain, nothing to be concerned about though. Perhaps, finally after a month of work, the nightmare was over and he would never have to worry about it again.

“It’s about time.” he thought to himself as he padded down the side of Pride Rock, “Maybe I can play a more active role in primal affairs now. I’m sure that everyone will be happy for that.” Smiling optimistically, he encountered Nala at the base of Pride Rock, returning with a jaded smile.

“Morning Simba.” She said in a tired voice. Her mate could not help but be surprised.

“Nala? What are you doing up so early?” he asked. Nala passed by him, nuzzling close.

“Oh, just out for an early morning’s walk.” she purred casually. Simba returned the nuzzle, a bit skeptical until he caught the scent. He chuckled silently, pondering whether this meeting was just by chance, or a clever set up by the lioness he loved.

“Oh really?” Simba purred slyly, “I was just on my way for a morning workout.” he said, licking her ear gently. “Care to join me? I was going to begin strengthening another area.” The look Nala gave him was unmistakable, but somewhat wary.

“Simba, what about your-”

“Shoulder?” he grinned, cutting her off. Passing close, he nuzzled with a passionate sigh “Well, we’ll work that out too.” Nala giggled and batted him lightly on the muzzle.

“Flirt!” she scolded playfully. So the two went off for a little more therapy, breaking the morning twice before it broke.

The day was spent in celebration. Upon Simba and Nala’s return, the pride rejoiced upon seeing the