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her heart sink. For weeks she had been dreaming of his return and their marriage. For a second a spark of jealous anger and doubt entered her heart. Shaking her head Aketch focused on why Kopa was choosing to stay in the jungle.
“I’m being silly, Kopa and Imoo are staying to help their friend. None of it is related to our betrothal. Kopa is so noble to sacrifice his happiness to help a friend. He will come back in a couple of months then we can be married.”
Turning her attention back to Simba and Nala, Aketch listened as they gave the bird a message to carry back to Kopa and Imoo. To her delighted their message included a mention of their marriage taking place one Kopa returned.
Taking to the air the bird took the message back to the jungle to Kopa and Imoo. On its arrival in the jungle the bird found both in deep discussion with Bakari. Hearing the messages Kopa and Imoo felt their heart do summersaults with delighted at the pride Simba and Nala felt. Hearing the mention of the betrothal Kopa felt a cold shiver run down his spine. A slight feeling of guilt as he had barely though of the event or Aketch since arriving in the jungle. Shaking his head he pushed the thoughts out of his mind.
“I am glad Simba and Nala are happy with you both staying longer,” Bakari said listening to the message.
“My father feels he owes a debt to your family for the help they gave him. He said my coming here pays back that debt. He wanted to come himself. Had the Outsiders not existed or been less of threat he would have come with us,” Kopa replied.
Slowly with the help of friends and family Bakari began to rebuild his shattered kingdom. To the relief and delight of the young king his girlfriend Zuri had survived unscathed. The pair were rarely apart and within a week of their reunion they announced their engagement. Bakari was not the only one whose love life was looking, Imoo and Kamari had developed a close friendship that appeared on the verge of something more. Kopa and Enitan’s friendship continued to grow as the days passed and it became common to see them together laughing and exploring.
Out with Imoo and Kopa, Bakari gave his friends a compete tour of the kingdom on a trip spanning four days. Many of the plants were new to the lions, Bakari showing them how to differentiate between those that very poisonous, those that were edible and those that were medicinal.
“This place is amazing,” Kopa said as they stood looking out over a waterfall. “I can see why my Father stayed here so long.”
“I never imagined somewhere this breath taking, it truly is a paradise,” Imoo whispered softly.
“It is that Imoo. I cannot imagine belonging anywhere else. Perhaps here you will find the pieces that will make you whole. We see the guilt you carry. Your scar was gained through an act of selfless bravery. Allow this paradise to heal you,” Bakari replied.
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Time passed bringing with it the birth of Tameka’s cub, three girls and a boy. Walking into a clearing Kopa, Imoo and Bakari found her laid in a thicket, four tiny cubs lying next to her while Kamaria, Leena and Enitan looked on. Seeing her brother approach Tameka tensed, her eyes wide with fear. Looking at the cubs Bakari saw they shared characteristics with both their parents.
“They are beautiful Tameka,” Bakari whispered tenderly. “Name the boy after our Father. I swear no harm will come to them while I live.”
“Oh Bakari thank you,” Tameka wept.
“They are innocents. I will not begin my reign by judging cubs on the crimes of their father. Imoo had shown me the folly of that path. When they are old enough we will tell them the truth.”
“I never want them to know the truth! Please Bakari can we not say their father was a lion who lived here and died fighting for us?” Tameka asked desperately.
“Tameka they will be hated by many who cannot see past their father’s actions. If we kept the truth from them they could hate us,” Bakari implored.
“Tameka you should be grateful, Bakari would be well within his right to demand their deaths,” Imoo said coldly.
“YOU DARE!” Tameka roared.
“I am being realistic. Princess you’ve lived a very cushy life that has made you naïve. Believe me princess had my Father been in your brother’s place he would have killed those cubs without a second thought. If you want proof then take a look at Malka, everything he did, the lion he became resulted from my Father’s treatment.”
Glaring at Imoo, Tameka slowly began to realise the truth of his words. Feeling the crackling tension Bakari stepped in between the pair. As the sun set across the jungle that very evening the births of Tameka’s cubs was announce to the entire kingdom along with Bakari’s plan for them. All who heard the news stepped back to listen with very mixed feelings, protected the cubs might be but their future was far from secure.
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Four months had passed since Bakari had ascended to the throne. As the sun set the animals gathered at the banks of a river to witness a very special event, the marriage of their king. Standing on section of rocks Bakari and Zuri stood side by side, Imoo and Kopa stood on Bakari’s right while Zuri’s mother and father stood next to her. Above them birds scattered flowers while a wise gorilla spoke the marriage blessing. Picking up two necklaces of flowers he placed the first around Bakari’s neck then the second around Zuri’s. A might cheer erupted from the assembled animal’s at the completion of the ceremony. Turning to face each other the pair kissed, raising whistles from their friends and family.
Leaving the rocks the couples friends and family gathered along the banks of the river for a party. Fireflies fluttered behind flowers, monkeys scattering petals and leaves while others played on shell made drums. On a small stage a chorus of birds sang their hearts out. Bakari and Zuri stood out at the centre of their friends and family who had all come forward to congratulate them. As the band struck up a tune the newlyweds headed onto the dance floor. Watching his friend dance Imoo took a sly look at Kamaria who was also watching them.
“Kamaria would you like to dance?”
“Me, dance? I’d love to,” Kamaria replied blushing slightly.
Heading onto the dance floor Imoo and Kamaria looked at one another, a blush on both their faces. Nearby Kopa and Enitan danced together utterly oblivious to the look of concern on her mother and grandfathers faces.
As the nigh drew on the party broke up. In the darkness Imoo and Kamaria slipped away into the foliage. A short time later the pair stood on rocks underneath a large waterfall the light of the new moon falling on a pool all around them. On Imoo’s face was a white scar. .
“Kamaria these past few months with you have been the happiest of my life, I love you with all my heart.”
“How can you possibly love a freak like me? I caused that scar”
“You are not a freak Kamaria. The scar is white just like you. I am proud to carry the scart. Kamaria you are the moon herself, a beautiful moon who lights up the darkness.”
Staring at one another Imoo and Kamaria kissed. Out of pain and Scar’s legacy had come something better. Bakari’s words had been a prophecy. Two lions who lived in darkness had found their reason to love the night.
In a different part of the jungle Kopa and Enitan lay together in between the routes of a large tree. Enitan’s head resting on Kopa’s shoulder. History had repeated itself and the heir to the throne had broken his betrothal vows.
“Kopa I’ve fallen in love with you. I love Kopa the lion. I don’t care about your blood or what you are.”
“I’ve fallen for you Enitan. If we go down this route things are going to be hard. What we want is against the rules for royalty. You are princess coupled with that you’re the cousin of my friend. I am the heir to my Father’s throne.”
“I don’t care about what Bakari will think. You have a sister who could rule. Kopa forget about the Pridelands and duty. For once in your life do what you want!”
“You’re right Enitan it is time I did something for myself.”
Under the night sky three couples started their lives together. From the two brothers Mufasa and Scar had come to two cousins Kopa and Imoo who lived with their legacy.
End
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