"A Promise" (C) DakotaWereWolf, 2013

Kiara, Simba, Nala, Tojo (C) Disney

Abel, Adanna, Zuri, Defir (C) DakotaWereWolf

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Book One

A Promise

            It had been five years since Kiara had held a cub within her paws; it had been one year since Kovu was at her side. Despite the momentous occasion, she could not help but think in the back of her head how Kovu might've reacted to her bearing the cub of another. Of course she loved Defir dearly - he never wanted to replace Kovu in her heart, he claimed to her, and he never sought to try and be Kovu just for her, and Kiara appreciated his sentiment.

            She blinked her eyes several times to help with the dazedness she felt after delivery, and smiled when she saw Defir's form by the entrance of the den. Kovu would've been at her side in an instant, but Defir had told her that he wanted to respect her privacy until she felt comfortable to call upon him.

            "Defir," she said hoarsely.

            The brown lion turned to face her, and casually entered the den. If he was excited, he showed no trace of it on his face. Kiara let her paws relax around the form of their cub, and allowed Defir to sniff their son over.

            "So beautiful," whispered Defir, not missing a bit by also looking Kiara in the eyes. "A boy or a girl?"

            Kiara smiled warmly. "A boy."

            Defir could not hold back his excited smile. "Have you thought of a name for him?"

            "I was thinking that you should do the honors of naming him. I named Adanna when she was born."

            "Speaking of Adanna, I didn't see her around."

            Kiara's smile faded at the recollection of where her daughter might've been brooding. "I hope she comes to the ceremony..."

            Defir leaned in and reassured his mate with a tender nuzzle. "I'm sure she will, don't worry about her."

            "Sometimes I do, Defir. After Kovu..."

            "Ssh, you don't need to explain that all again to me. Maybe Adanna just needs some time to get used to the idea that she has a baby brother to look after now. Perfectly natural."

            "If you say so."

            Defir licked her nose. "I have a name," he spoke up.

            This perked Kiara up at once.

            "We should call him Abel," continued Defir. "In my pride, we used to tell a story about a lion named Abel who flew among the stars and slew all evil who stood before him. I think it's perfect."

            Kiara tried not to allow herself to become too emotional with this, but she couldn't help the one tear that came down her face. "It's perfect."

            A tiny cough interrupted their little moment. Kiara beamed as Nala approached her. Even at her age Nala still looked as beautiful and regal as she had when Kiara was just a mere cub. Looking past her, Kiara saw Simba watching them from the outside of the cave.

            Defir took the opportunity to leave the two lionesses alone.

            "Hi mom," Kiara greeted as she nuzzled her mother.

            "I'm so proud of you, Kiara. And Abel is a fine name for him..."

            "You overheard?"

            Nala chuckled. "Sorry if I couldn't help, but be a tad curious. How're you feeling?"

            Kiara nodded her head. "I feel a bit tired, but not too bad."

            "You've had a much better time with him than you did with Adanna."

            That was the truth. Kiara was only getting her toes wet with the power of becoming Queen when she had Adanna, and the timing of it all made the experience frightful for Kiara. The birth was not easy, but it was well worth it in the end.

            "I didn't see her out in the crowd," said Nala, frowning. "Your father and I have been looking high and low for her. We even set Zazu out to scan the lands for her. It's not right for her to miss her baby brother's ceremony."

            Kiara's heart sunk a bit at the news. She knew Adanna wasn't taking the situation lightly. From the beginning, she hated Defir, and disapproved of their relationship, but Kiara still held out on the hope that Adanna would see that it wasn't right to disrespect her family on such a beautiful day. Even if she showed up to the ceremony at the last minute, it would be enough for Kiara.

            Nala turned her head to the outside of the den. "Rafiki is about ready for the ceremony."

            Kiara was hesitant. "Can't we wait a little longer for Adanna?"

            "Kiara..."

            She sighed. "I know, I know. Okay."

            Slowly she pulled herself away from baby Abel and took the cub in her mouth by the nap of his neck. With Nala by her side, Kiara trotted out from the den, and into the welcoming silence of the on looking crowd of animals below. Rafiki met them halfway, his hands wide open to receive Abel, and Kiara let it be so. She hung back as she watched the wise old baboon present Abel to a cheering crowd of animals, and felt her heart sore with the greatness she expected from her son.

            Defir leaned into her. "Our little Abel will be a great king," he whispered into her ear.

            "The very best," she agreed.

~*~

            Out in the lands, Adanna perked her ears at the triumphant cries of the animals that came to the celebration. Her nose twitched in irritation, and she laid back down, almost blending into the yellow grasses around her.

            Yeah, it might've been selfish for her to not go to her baby brother's - half brother, she corrected herself - celebration, but now her and Kiara were not seeing eye-to-eye, and she did not want to see her mother with Defir. It made her insides clench with rage at how happy Defir was making her, as if Kovu didn't matter.

            Thinking of her father made Adanna sigh deeply, and she covered her eyes with her great paw to cease thought of the memories. It had been too painful of a day to want to recall.

            "You're not at the ceremony, Adanna?" came a weary voice.

            Adanna removed her paw to see her great-uncle Tojo standing over him. "I could say the same about you," she snapped.

            She never knew about her grandfather's siblings until the day Tojo returned to the pride. He didn't explain himself why, just that he was tired of wandering the earth, and needed to stay. Of course Simba allowed him, but Adanna, too, distanced herself from Tojo just as much as she distanced herself from Kula, whom she suspected Tojo yearned for.

            Tojo laid down beside her, sighing wearily. "Kula's there," he said simply.

            Adanna sat up. "So?"

            He shook his head, gave her a soft smile. "How come you're not at the ceremony? Your grandfather figured you might've not shown up before the ceremony began, so he sent me out to find you."

            "Well you're not taking me back over there. I'm too fast for you."

            Tojo laughed. "I have no doubt about that. No, I could do away from the commotion myself. I've only been home for a few months now, and it's still a lot to take in."

            "You're telling me. You won't tell them I'm here, will you?"

            "They probably know you're here anyways. I won't say anything, though. But after the ceremony ends, I know your grandparents will come looking for you."

            Right, because Mom will be too busy gooing over her newest baby, thought Adanna resentfully.

            As if sensing her thoughts, Tojo placed his paw on her shoulder, receiving a jolt from the younger lioness. "Adanna, I know we're complete strangers. Heck, I'm still in shock over Kiara. But... I'm not your enemy, I guess is what I'm trying to say."

            Adanna stared at Tojo, and really looked at him. She could tell something had happened to him in the past, and perhaps he was trying to rectify it with coming back home, and trying to play cool uncle - no, great-uncle, she reminded herself. Her real uncle, Kopa, died before her mother was even born.

            Then, she noticed the sudden quiet of the area around them, and she looked around. "I guess the ceremony's over."

            Tojo slowly rose to his paws. "Well, will you come back?"

            Adanna sighed and rolled back onto her side. "Let them find me."

            "They already have." Adanna groaned inwardly at the sound of Nala's sweet voice.

            Tojo smiled. "Hi Nala. How did the ceremony go?"

            Nala seemed almost surprised to see Tojo with Adanna. "I thought you were at the ceremony as well?"

            "Kula."

            "Oh, okay."

            "She, uh... she hasn't been asking for me, has she?"

            Nala frowned. "I'm sorry."

            Tojo sighed. "I figured as much. All right, well I'll see you about, Adanna. Take care." He disappeared through the overgrown grass, and Adanna wondered at the solemn tone of his voice.

            "Now young lady, I know you're going through a rough time, but your mother was very upset that you weren't at the ceremony," scolded Nala. "You at least owed that to her."

            At this, Adanna scrambled onto her paws, an enraged look on her face. "Are you kidding?" she snapped. "I don't owe her anything! Everything was okay until... until he showed up! And now she's got another cub, and she'll turn away from me! I'm just better off leaving here then."

            "Adanna..." Nala stepped forward, a sympathetic look on her face. "Your grandfather and I love you very much, and so do your mother and Defir. And I know you miss your father, we all do-"

            "Apparently not."

            "-but your mother deserves to be happy. Can't you be a little happy for her?"

            "Yeah? And what about me? Am I not allowed to be happy?"

            "Of course you are, sweetie!"

            "Then why am I not happy?!" Adanna unsheathed her claws and dug into the dirt just to soothe her anger. "I'm going."

            "Good, your mother wants to speak to you-"

            "No, I mean I'm going. As in I'm leaving the Pridelands."

            Nala's eyes grew at this. "Adanna! Don't you dare!"

            Adanna shrugged. "Why not? Mom's moved on, she's got Defir and the stupid cub of his now. She doesn't  need me now. Just like she didn't need Dad."

            "That's not ri-"

            But Adanna was already turning to move beyond the borders of the pride. Nala leapt in front of her, growling, but Adanna moved past her, and trudged past the border. "Oh, by the way," she called to her grandmother, "Tell her that I'm not going to miss her at all!"

            Then she was gone.

~*~

            Abel didn't know why his mother wasn't smiling today. He knew that there were some days when she'd look at the sky, and sigh sadly, but then Dad would come, and she would cheer up, and lick Abel's face. He liked it when she did that. She was a good Mom.

            But today she didn't smile at all. Not when Defir joined her, or when Abel made a pass to play with her. She just laid curled up at the back of the den and sighed. Abel grew scared. Mom could be sad sometimes, sure, but never this much. Was it something he did? Thoughts raced in Abel's head just to be able to recall anything he had done that was bad the past few months, but he couldn't think of anything. Did Dad do something? Nah, that didn't seem right. Dad was always kind and always liked to joke with them. Abel loved his father's jokes.

            Perhaps he should get her a gift, something to cheer her up. He knew he wasn't allowed to go into the lands without an escort with him, but Abel wanted to do this by himself. He wanted to cheer Kiara up, and if that meant he was going to get into trouble over it then that was fine. As long as she stopped being sad.

            Sometimes sneaking out was hard. There were always lionesses and Zazu patrolling the lands, day and night, and, of course, he had his parents to worry about. But Abel found a way to get away. In the back wall of the den they shared, there was a small crevice that was just about the same size for him to easily squeeze through, and emerge on the other side of Pride Rock. Abel was patient, waiting for the moon to rise in the sky before sneaking out. There would've been no way he could've safely gotten past during the day, but now that everyone was resting for the day, he had the advantage.

            Kiara always warned him of slipping and falling over the rocks, but Abel picked up the skill quite easily. He was able to leap to each rock without losing his footing and slipping between them. When he finally touched the ground, he looked up at the giant rock formation that was his home. He imagined Kiara's face when he brought her some food back, perhaps a meerkat or a hornbill. Oh, how happy she'd be! She might even smile! Abel could not resist smiling at the thought.

            I'll make you happy, Mama, he thought.

            Unfortunately the only things he had learned to hunt were butterflies and the occasional moth. Defir had taken him out once or twice to teach him to hunt the smaller rodents, but it had been infrequent, so the skills he had learned that day never stuck with Abel.

            Abel pounced from patch of grass to patch of grass, imagining himself to be as fearsome of a lion as his father was. Or even his grandfather. Abel leapt from a small stone and let out a mighty roar, which was actually just a small meow. His ears perked and twitched at the sounds the night made. Crickets were about and Abel could hear the faintness of animals on the plains surrounding their home. Oh, what if he brought home a big gazelle for his mother? She would be so amazed with him!

            "I'm gonna do it!" he cried out, pouncing along to try and reach the plains. A rustle came from his left flank, making Abel pause his step to carefully listen. Was it a hornbill he disturbed, or something else? His heart began to thunder, the noise clouding his ears. His tiny claws unsheathed themselves. This was it! This was his chance!

            Abel slowly crept towards the rustling bush, licking his maw in anxiousness. When he got within jumping distance, however, he froze. Something didn't smell right. He knew what hornbill and meerkat smelled like (how could he not, with Zazu and Timon around?), but this was nothing like that. This was something different, and it sent a chill down his spine.

            Before he knew what to react to, a shadow lunged from the bush, knocking him over onto his backside. Abel squealed loudly as the shadow stood over him, slowly revealing its glistening sharp teeth to him. This was another lion!

            "W-Wait! I-I'm a l-lion too!" Abel cried. Then he screamed as pain stung his face.

            Roars from all sides, all around him, emerged, and Abel soon felt the weight of the paw that had been crushed against his chest released. Tears stung both his eyes. As he struggled to sit up, he felt something bit into the nape of his neck, and pick him up from the ground.

            "No, no, don't hurt me!" he cried out, thrashing frantically left and right to escape his foe.

            "Abel, it's me, your grandmother."

            Abel froze at this. "Gramma Nala?"

            "Let's get you home."

            The only thing he heard behind him was the battle cries of a furious pride.

~*~

            Abel was still crying when Kiara and the rest of the pride returned. Nala had cleaned up his face, which was now riddled with three deep scars across his face, but the adrenaline and fear he was feeling was too much for his tiny body. All he wanted was to make his mother happy.

            Nala left him as soon as his parents entered the den, and Abel was quickly pulled and seated into Kiara's clutches. He looked up at her with one eye, and only felt more tears come to his face when he saw the disappointed look on her face.

            "What were you doing?" she growled. "You could've gotten killed out there! Don't you realize how worried you made me?"

            Abel's gaze drifted to his father, who also had the same disappointed and scolding look on his face. He began crying again.

            Sighing, Kiara pulled him against her chest, burying her face into his backside. "I'm sorry Abel."

            "I-I just w-w-wanted t-to make y-y-you happy!" he sobbed into her fur.

            "Abel, if Zazu hadn't spotted you..."

            "It's been a long night, how about we all go to sleep?" suggested Defir, who nuzzled into Kiara's side. He leaned over and licked Abel. "It's all right, Abel. No one's blaming you."

            The crying cub pulled away from his mother and stared back at his father in wonder. "R-Really?"

            Defir nodded, smiling. "Yes, it's all right."

            Kiara sighed. "Just don't do that again, okay? I'll smile, Abel. I promise."

            "Mommy, are you sad?"

            Abel felt his mother cringe, and tears stung his eyes again. Was she also going to cry?

            "...No, Abel. I'm not sad. I'm just thinking."

            "What're you thinking of, Mommy?"

            "Just some things I'll tell you about when you get older, okay? Now go to sleep. It will be a long day tomorrow."

            Abel pulled away completely and gazed up at Kiara. "Mommy, how does my face look?"

            "...Handsome. Like a little prince."

            That stopped all the tears for Abel, and he curled up in his mother's embrace, comforted by the fact that he was her little prince.

~*~

            She had lied to him. He wasn't handsome. Not anymore.

            When Abel looked into the puddle of water the next day, he found himself staring down at a cub who had three deep scars embedded in his face. His mother had quickly came to his side, licked his face, and beckoned him to follow her.

            However, every day he went down to the small pool of water, to stare down at a lion who was not handsome. No, the cub who stared back at him seemed different. There was no innocence or joy in his eyes. No happiness, and no smile. Just a sad face. Perhaps sad because his face was no longer handsome. Abel wondered about that, and each morning he went to that pool of water soon began to realize that it was he who was sad. Just like how his mother had been all that time ago.

            Months began to pass, and Abel grew. Other cubs were born in the pride, but unlike before, Abel felt scared of them. They might notice his scars! They would make fun of him! Kiara and Defir, and his grandparents, were quick to tell him that the scars looked fine on him, that he hadn't changed.

            Except everything had changed.

            Two years passed now since Abel gained his scars, and once again he found himself staring into the pool of water before him. A dark mane, much like his father's, was beginning to grow in spurts. Soon it would completely fill out. He was still scrawny, but was slowly building some muscle on him. He knew that he would never be at the same size as his father or grandfather, however.

            His body might've changed.

            But the scars remained.

            "Hey, Abel!" He turned to find one of the many cubs born last year facing him. "Wanna come play?"

            Smiling weakly, Abel shook his head.

            The cub frowned. "You never play with us! Come play!"

            He shook his head again, this time with more force. The weak smile was slowly beginning to fade.

            "PLEEEEEEASE?"

            His claws unsheathed themselves. Abel quickly had the passing vision of him clawing at this cub, ruining his face. Yes, that would show him.

            "Hibaku, he's boring, he doesn't want to play with us!" cried one of the other cubs. There were five of them in their own small pride, staring at him. Abel felt his face scrunch up in irritation.

            Hibaku turned his gaze from Abel to his friends, and then back at Abel again. Finally seeing that Abel would not play with him, he turned and abandoned the young lion to his own thoughts.

            Sighing and feeling some peace at last, Abel turned his gaze back to the pool of water before him. Something changed though. Staring back at him was a lioness, whose color was not too as different as his, though had more brown in it. She too had scars, only they were on her neck.

            And she was smiling at him.

            I would've taught him a lesson, she told him. You say no, and they keep on bugging you.

            Abel leapt onto all four of his paws, staring with amazement down at the pool before him. "W-Who are you?" he asked, not at all hiding the fear from his voice.

            Don't be scared, I'm not here to hurt you. I have to say, you look good with those scars. Makes you look like a King.

            "I'm not a King," mumbled Abel. "I'm not even handsome."

            See and that's where you're wrong because I find you very handsome. Abel turned his gaze back to the lioness in the pool. She was smiling back at him. It was a genuine smile.

            "Who are you?" he asked.

            My name is Zuri, and I'm real, just like you.

            "Then why are you in there? In the water?"

            The smile faded slightly. Well, bad things have happened to me. Nothing you should worry about.

            Yet Abel felt himself compelled. Bad things have happened, to this lioness before him? "Did they give you those scars?" he asked, indicating the neck.

            She nodded. My sister.

            "Why?"

            Because she was jealous. You see those cubs who were bugging you?

            Abel looked up. The cubs hadn't moved too far away from where he sat to begin their game. "Yeah."

            Soon they'll grow up to be jealous of you.

            Suddenly visions entered Abel's head, of himself being pinned below the large form of Habiku, seeing his sharp teeth gleam before him.

            I can see them too, you know, said Zuri. The visions you have. We're alike, you and I.

            Abel cocked his head in confusion. "How can you see them?"

            I'm your guide, Abel. I was chosen by the Great Kings in the sky to watch out for you. To protect you from all those jealous lions and lionesses who want to hurt you.

            "Hurt... me?" On all accounts Abel should've stopped talking to this beautiful lioness in the water before him. But he couldn't. He was intrigued. "So... you're here to protect me?"

            Zuri nodded her head. Exactly. The Great Kings saw what I went through when I was alive, and they sent me to protect you so that it won't happen again.

            "When you were alive?"

            My jealous sister killed me. This is my second chance, Abel. To help everyone and protect them from evil.

            "Why... why weren't you there, then, when I got attacked a long time ago?"

            She bowed her head in shame. I couldn't reach you then. When it happened, I... I was filled with regret. If you do not trust me because I could not save you, then I understand, and will take my leave.

            The water began to ripple, and Abel's eyes widened. "No!" he cried out, lunging into the pool of water. When he emerged and saw what he had done, he quickly crawled out of the pool, and looked around. But there was no Zuri to be found.

            Abel frantically looked for her. He wanted to know more! Why was she sent to him in particular? Who was jealous of him? Could she see that he had a bad future waiting for him? What about his parents, would they go against him too, just like how her sister went against her? There was so many things he wanted to ask her!

            "Son?" Abel paused in his frantic searches to look over his shoulder at his father, who was cocking his head in confusion. "Are you alright?"

            "Yeah Dad, I'm alright. Just... looking for something."

            Defir seemed skeptical, which Abel noted right away. His father was scrutinizing him! Perhaps he had overheard them?

            "All right," said Defir. "Well, how about we go on a hunt together? We need to do this more frequently."

            At one point, young Abel would've been anxious at the idea of hunting alongside his father. But now the idea seemed bland, tasteless even. Why hunt when he knew he was never going to become stronger?

            But you will become stronger, Zuri's voice said in his head.

            Fur bristling, Abel began to look at the skies, wondering where her voice was coming from. He completely ignored his own father's presence until he heard a more forceful, "Abel!"

            The young lion faced his father, noting the look of anxiety on his face. "Yeah?"

            "Are you... sure you're alright? You seem off today."

            "Yeah, I'm fine," Abel dismissed. He just wanted Zuri to come back.

            "So, how about we go hunting?"

            "Not now, Dad. Maybe later?"

            Defir seemed confused at this. "It's almost dinner time. Soon it'll be too dark to go hunting."

            Abel whirled on him, now angered that his father was not getting it. "Then we'll go tomorrow!" he roared. "Happy?"

            His father backed away, looking shocked at his own son's outburst. Abel found it almost comical. "All right. Suit yourself. Your mother will be coming back soon. Will you be joining us this time?"

            "Yes Dad."

            "Okay..." Defir quickly retreated at the same time Abel heard Zuri chuckling in his ears. He's become afraid of you, she said. This is good. Now he won't be a threat.

            "Zuri, is he a threat?"

            Yes, they all are. Your grandparents, your friends, even your mother are all threats to you. One day, Abel, you will grow up to be an amazing King. All will fall before you, all will serve you. And then, you will no longer have to fear jealously.

            The idea tempted Abel. His mother was always telling him about how he would grow into becoming a king, but the way Zuri described it to him made it even more appealing. He saw himself now, standing upon Pride Rock's peak, looking over all lion prides who have come together to serve under him. There would only be one pride, and it would be his.

            It is better to be feared than to be loved, Zuri went on. When they love you, they'll still be jealous of you. But when they were fear you... well... you will no longer have to worry about them.

            "I see... And you said that the Great Kings sent you?"

            Indeed.

            "So that must mean that they see my future. They want me to be king!"

            Exactly, exactly! Zuri's own excitement sent chills down Abel's spine. Now Abel, you might not forgive me for not helping you those years ago-

            "I do forgive you," he said.

            Hmm, then I shall make a promise to you. I will guide you on this journey. I will make you the mightiest king that ever lived.

            "You promise?"

            I never break a vow. Come, you must go eat, and become strong.

            "Yes... strong..." Abel let the word roll off his tongue, and felt the furs on his growing mane prick at it. How exciting. In a few years he soon will become king. Then, he'll rule over all.