Chaka's Surprise

Shani paced at the top of Pride Rock back and forth while her mother and Chaka stood near the badly beaten Kovu. Kiara constantly tried to help lick his wounds, but Kovu was used to having a few scratches from when he was a cub, and refused any more help. Chaka sat by his fathers’ backside, staring gloomily down at the ground. Bianca sat with the other lionesses of the Pride on the sidelines, watching the family try to cope with what had happened to Kovu.

“Now I know why Nuka was so eager to catch himself some hyenas.” Shani said. Kiara scowled. “-I know, I know it’s against the law to hunt for game. But the hyenas shouldn’t count!” Shani protested. Kiara turned to the rest of the pride and beckoned a lioness over. “Go find Moja.” The lioness bowed her head and set off right away. Kovu knew what Kiara was up to. “I don’t need a majordomo.” He grunted. Kiara ignored him and continued to watch the lioness fade into the distance. “A what?” Chaka asked, breaking his silence. Kiara smiled as she turned and sat next to her son, nuzzling her face against his warm mane. “A majordomo. Someone who speaks, makes arrangements, or takes charge on behalf of another.” She said. Chaka looked at his father. Kovu had closed his eyes, and began to sink into a deep sleep. “And someone to accompany dad on his patrols around the borders.” He said. Kiara nodded. After a moment, her smile faded as she whispered, “He’s lucky we got there in time.”

Shani stopped pacing for a moment and approached her brother. “We’ve got to keep an eye out for any threats and dangers while dads sitting out. You’re going to have to be in charge for a while.” She said to Chaka’s surprise. “Your sister is right.” said Kiara. “It will be up to you to defend these lands now, Chaka, at least until your father is well again.” Chaka looked back down at the ground, deep in though. Finally, he walked over to Kovu’s face, and nudged him. Kovu opened an eye. “Dad, I’ll watch over the kingdom.” Chaka said. Kovu smiled, and closed his eye, falling back to sleep.

“Don’t worry mom, I’ll be Chaka’s majordomo.” Shani said with a smile.

*********

Chaka and Bianca wandered down Priderock while Kiara and Shani walked Kovu into the shelter of their home. They didn’t speak to eachother as they reached the water hole, and drank in silence as well. Chaka seemed to never want to stop drinking, to drink away his worries. Bianca nuzzled him, bumping his nose under the surface making him spudder. He looked up at her, and she smiled. He wiped his nose, and still said nothing, sitting infront of his reflection.
“Your father is going to be ok.” She said. Chaka let out a sigh. “I know, but until he is, I’m in charge, and…”
“And you’re doing fine so far.” Bianca finished. “Look at yourself. You are not a cub anymore, you’re a lion. You are going to be king of the jungle! There is no reason to be scared.” She licked his cheek. Chaka frowned.
“Bianca, you don’t understand. You didn’t grow up with a sister that was stronger than you, or live alone in a jungle full of shadows, and you’re not expected to run a kingdom.” She let out a laugh. “No, but I had my own dilemas to worry about, like everyone has in life. But regardless of all that, you have family here to back you up, including your strong sister and I. You’re not alone in the jungle anymore, Chaka.”

In the distance, they caught a glimps of Shani running towards them. Her smile widened as she approached the two. “Hey you two! Dad’s sleeping now, but seems to be getting his strength back. Mom’s worried about you, Chaka, so she sent me to check up on you. Can I report everything’s ok, like I told her you would be?” She said, with a smirk. Chaka let out the same sigh as before. “He’s alright.” Bianca said for him. He looked jokingly over at her, and Shani got the hint of doubt. She thought for a second. “Hey, we should let Nuka, Kuli and Aunt Vitani know about dad. Maybe some weight could be taken off your shoulders if Nuka would agree to come back with us, and help you keep an eye out for the Pridelands until things are back to normal?” Shani suggested. Bianca smiled at the idea, and looked to Chaka to see if he thought it sounded good too. He looked up from the ground, and smiled a small smile. “Maybe.”

*******

After informing Kiara about Shani’s idea, it was decided Bianca would acompany Shani on the small trip to Nuka’s Pride on the other side of the Grasslands in the morning. As the sun set, Chaka and Bianca wandered up to their favorite ledge where they slept away from the rest of the Pride. Nuzzled next to eachother, they settled in for the night. “You’ll come back as soon as you tell them about my father, right?” Chaka asked, worry in his voice. “Yes dear, as soon as they are informed, we will return home, hopefully with your cousin Nuka.” He smiled and licked her cheek in appreciation. “It will probably be my last excursion of the season anyways.” She said. Chaka looked at her, a little confused. “I’ll be too big to go for long walks before we know it.” She said, smiling at her belly. Chaka’s confusion turned to shock as he realized what she meant, then pure joy, along with more worry. “I’m going to be a father?!”

***

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