later.”

“Which would get me where exactly? I’m not some naïve little cub, I wasn’t expecting all fluffiness from you.”

     At that statement Majani laughed. The pair had found an understanding. The silence broken Nassor began to ask Majani about her early travels. The chattering of monkeys from a large tree broke through their conversation. Glancing up into the branches Majani smiled.

“Ever climbed up a tree in this kingdom?” Majani asked.

“No, is that a challenge?”

“If you like,” Majani replied, deliberately goading Nassor.

    With the monkeys swinging next to them the pair climbed to the very top of the tree. From the top the entire kingdom was laid out in front of them. Down across miles from the mountains border across to vast savannah to the river outage to the lions cliff top cave down to vast sea. The stars and the light of a new moon gave a magical quality to the kingdom. Nassor’s eyes went wide in awe at the spectacle.

“This place is nothing like I’ve ever seen before.”

“I’m not good with feelings…….I want you to stay here for as long as you want……I’m happy you’re here,” Majani said awkwardly.

“Thanks…… I didn’t expect anything from you Majani, other than not getting killed.”

“That expectation I can live with. I’m not the type to commit murder just for you being curious.” 

___________________________________________________________________________

      On the sea shore Zola and Vitani walked next to one another. In the passing days Zola had struggled to speak to Vitani. Old wounds had been torn open and forced her to confront a past she had tried so hard to forget. In the silence of the night Zola had finally found the strength to confront the issues. Night provided a cloak for a private conversation well always from the scrutiny of others.

“I’m happy to have you as a sister. You’ve brought up the past, old pain and an old life. I want to explain…….that much I owe you…..will you listen?” Zola asked.

“I came here to listen……to find out,” Vitani replied, her voice filled with yearning and her heart a spark of hope.

“I was born when Scar’s power was absolute. The pride loved me despite what my parents did. Growing up I had fun with Nala, Chumvi and the other teenagers. Masika and Yejida were my best friends.”

“What changed?”

“Darkness and power corrupted my parents turning them into tyrants. The land was destroyed so the pride grew to hate them. Zira saw Nala as trouble so suggest Scar trick Nala into believing he loved her. I found out this plan and warned Nala then helped her to escape.”

“Nala told us what you did, that took courage.”

“I started to question everything my parents had taught me. I found out the truth about Simba and told Rafiki. I saw my parents for what they were. Rafiki told me Simba was alive. He told me I had the power to decide my own fate. The following day I met Delmar……”

“You left to be with Delmar.”

“Delmar opened my eyes to the possibility of a different life. I knew that staying would have meant fighting Simba. I saw only pain and death. Leaving was the hardest thing I have ever done but there was no other way. I refuse to be bound to my parent’s crimes!”

     Vitani stopped. Slowly she was beginning to understand. The stories of Scar’s reign floated back to her. Then she mind drifted to her half-brothers Nuka and Imoo and the pain they had suffered. She thought back to the difference the truth had made to her life. She put herself in Zola’s paw prints, thinking about what she would have done in the same situation.

“I understand why you left.”

“Staying would have meant death. If I had been allowed to live in exile…..condemned to fighting a relentless war. You have seen first paw what that life is life. I thought all would be better if I left.”

“Mother never stopped hoping you were alive. What you did broke Scar and Zira’s in the end. I was raised to be a replacement for you.” 

     Raw pain and resentment shone in Vitani’s eyes. In anger she slashed the air. Zola snarled in response glaring at Vitani angrily. In a flash both pounced at each other causing them to tumble into the water. Surfacing the pair fought, hitting each other with their paws and using their claws to scratch.

    A sudden change in current carried them out into deeper water where the waves as well as the current was stronger. Zola swam easily while Vitani struggled to keep afloat. A large wave upturned Vitani, catching her by surprise and sending her into the depth. Diving down Zola grabbed Vitani by the scruff of her neck, pulling Vitani to the surface. Swimming against the waves Zola dragged the semi-conscious Vitani to the beach.

        Reaching the shore Zola let go of her sister. Both lionesses lay gasping for breath exhausted on the sand. Vitani’s eyes were wide with relief.

“Thank you….I’m so sorry,” Vitani spluttered, looking away in shame.

“You need swimming lessons. I don’t blame you,” Zola replied gently.

“I still shouldn’t………you’ve welcomed me.”

“I never intended any of this to come about,” Zola said, guilt in her voice. “The situation was impossible. There was no other choice if I wanted happiness. It breaks my heart hearing what Zira did to you. At the end of the day she and Scar made their own choices. I will not accept responsibility for their actions.”

     Power and darkness shone in Zola’s eyes as she spoke those final words. The same darkness that once ruled Scar was present in his daughter yet it took a different form. The look stopped Vitani for a moment, causing her to think about her words.

“I don’t know who I am. I just want to understand my place in the world. At times I wonder if Mother had known you were alive……..if things would have been differently……..I might not have been born.”

      Tears fell freely from Vitani’s eyes as she revealed her deepest feelings. Zola’s face softened, gently she placed a leg around her shoulder.

“Nothing can change what has happened. Stay here Vitani. The sea can be used to cleanse wounds and cleanse a creature’s souls. I did just that when I arrived, I dived in and allowed it to cleanse me of all past pain, fears and links to my parent’s actions. Jump back in now, tonight cleanse yourself of the past.”

“What about your family?”

“Better alone then condemned by their actions. Don’t live in the shadows of the past. Be who you want to be.”

     Standing up Zola walked into the water. After hesitating for a moment Vitani followed her. Above them a new moon hung amount the stars and waves crashed around them. A pod of dolphin swam around them. Then Zola and Vitani found themselves lifted up on the back of a dolphin. Looking at the lions the two dolphins laughed with delight at the lionesses’ surprise. With a burst of speed the dolphins took the pair on a ride through the waves. The lioness yelled in a mixture of fear and delight. Standing on the dolphin’s back Vitani felt the taste of the salt water. She thought back to everything she had experienced and felt. Zira’s lessons came flooding back along with all of her opinions.

“I won’t become who you wanted me to be!” Vitani screamed, staring at the sky.

         As the sun began to break on the horizon Vitani and Zola emerged side by side from the water. A new light shone from Vitani’s eyes while an aura or something akin to innocence swirled around her yet hints of darkness and cunning swirled on her edges.

      

                    Finding who we are

    The days passed bringing a marked change in Vitani, she seemed to gain an air of innocence and joy. With Arjana and Penina as her guides Vitani explored the wonders of the kingdom and revealed in the utter joy her niece and nephew had around them. The teachings of Zira were slowly replaced by new lessons now at last Vitani was able to experience a loving family life. Watching from afar Nassor felt his heart lift with delight at his friend’s happiness while at the same time experiencing his own changes.

         The pride lay together under the shade of the trees. They had just eaten a good meal and all were feeling a little lethargic. Laying next to her friends Vitani cast her gaze over to Chumvi and Masika. Vitani hadn’t spoken much to Masika about the past despite Vitani having a very close relationship with Masika’s mother Aina. Aina had been Zira’s best friend and an aunt to her cubs. It had been Aina along with Nala who had helped Vitani come to terms with Zira’s death and Zola’s existence. Vitani knew how much the revelation that Masika lived had meant to Aina. Taking a deep breath Vitani spoke.

“Masika, Chumvi if you don’t mind……could you tell me your stories?”

      Chumivi

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