Burkitt John. Under the Acacias

   Uzuri gasped.
   “Don’t worry, hon. I’ve told no one about it. But we have to talk. There are hyenas good and true that would shed their honest blood to drive out Shenzi and cleanse the land of shame.”
   Uzuri remembered saying almost the same thing to her pride sisters. She touched Shimbekh’s cheek with her paw and whispered, “When the last battle comes, fight by me. You and Ber and any willing to join you. I swear to you that there will only be two kinds of people that day--friend and foe. Understand?”
   “Completely.”

CHAPTER: THE PHOENIX

   Ugas trudged slowly along behind Adhama with an ache in his right shoulder that made him grimace slightly with each step. But it had been worth it to see Uzuri's sweet face. They neared the kopjes that served a home for the pride, and the old lion sighed and pushed through the edge of the grasses, emerging into a small clearing where the pride lay.
   Lionesses lay scattered about in various spots, but they quickly straightened up nervously as they spotted him. Ugas had been very temperamental in recent days. Conversation dulled and fell silent as he paced past the group and settled onto the ground. His hip twinged again and he groaned.
   A cub skittered past him, giggling, and he glared at her from under lowered lids. One of the lionesses hurriedly sat up and called softly. "Alyssa! Come back here!"
   The cub slid to a stop and slowly crept back towards her mother under Ugas’ gaze. She glanced at him quickly, then she looked away when she encountered his stare.
   Ugas saw the visible fear in her face and felt a thorn pierce his heart. "Alyssa?"
   The cub came to an absolute standstill.
   "Alyssa. Come here, Honey tree." He beckoned with a forepaw.
   Slowly, trembling, she inched forward until she stood beneath his immense bulk. "Yes, sir? I’m sorry."
   Ugas stared wonderingly at the shaking cub. "Sorry for what?”
   “Whatever it is I did.”
   “Did you just do something naughty?”
   “I...uh...don’t think so, Sir.”
   “Daddy will do nicely.”
   “I’m sorry, Daddy.” She looked back at her mother and back at him.
   “Don’t you want to give your old Dad a kiss?”
   “I guess so.” She edged carefully forward, stretched out her neck and touched his foreleg with her tongue, then darted back a couple of feet.
   “Honey tree?” He looked at Agavi. “Vivi, what’s wrong? Doesn’t she love me anymore?”
   “She loves you,” Agavi said soothingly. “We all know you’ve been depressed since your brother died. And those aches and pains and now that crick in your spine. I know that a lot of noise and prodding makes you upset, so I told her not to disturb you.”
   “Upset?? Since when have my children ever make me upset?? Maybe I like to be disturbed!”
   Adhama said, “Let me field that one, hon.” She looked piercingly at Ugas. “Lately, everything makes you upset. You snap at us all the time and think we’re supposed to rub your shoulder all the time and say ‘poor baby’ and ‘there now, that’s a good fellow.’ Well it’s taking its toll on your popularity, as if you haven’t noticed!”
   Ugas snarled. “Since when have I snapped at anyone??”
   Adhama said, “Oh, that’s a tough one.” She frowned. “Shame on you, carrying on like this in front of the children!”
   Ugas sat down, nonplused. “Well, maybe I have been a little....” He glanced over at little Alyssa. “Oh, the poor dear!”
   He went to the cub. When she shrank from him, the pain that drew his face was not from his shoulder. “I love you, Lissie.”
   Alyssa's jaw trembled and she almost cried. "I love you too, Daddy."
   "There's my girl!" He rolled over on his back, scooped her up with a paw and when she stood trembling on his stomach for one moment, pulled in his back legs and arms, lifting her up wriggling on a pedestal of four paws. He began to pump her up and down. "Three baby bunnies a hopping around. Three baby bunnies hop over the ground. If you keep hopping, you'll never start stopping, but you'll get away from the hound!" His legs shot out straight, tossing her into the air. She fell giggling with a sound plop. His stomach was not as firm as it used to be, but he hid his discomfort. He held her to his chest and nuzzled her softly, kissing her with his warm, pink tongue and grunting with pleasure when she kissed him back and rubbed along his soft mane. “I’m never going to be gruff with my little girl again! I promise!” He nuzzled her, then looked over at the other cubs who were watching him closely. “And that promise goes for the rest of you too! Come here, you little scamps! Rides for everyone!”
   The other cubs rushed over and mobbed the two of them. Ugas rolled about laughing as a crowd of cubs tickled him, pounced on his tail and tugged at his mane. “Oh, I love you all so much! I could just eat you up!” He would be bouncing bunnies for a long, long time before he got a rest.
   Alyssa's mother watched Ugas rolling about, bellowing laughter at the cubs around him. Nudging Adhama with her paw, she asked, "What's got INTO him? You'd think he was young again!"
   Adhama smiled. "Young again? Don’t you mean alive again?"
   “Up we go!” Ugas cried, hoisting another giggling cub. “Now let your Daddy catch his breath....”

CHAPTER: THE OFFER

   Rafiki was languishing in house arrest, unable to leave his baobab without a hyena escort. Once he had tended to be a loner, preferring to deal with one or two friends at a time rather than large groups. But the enforced loneliness was preying on him and he spent long hours in front of the scrying bowl desperate for some shadow of his past to comfort him. His father’s face looked back at him, tinged with sadness. Rafiki didn’t know if he was seeing the past, the present or the future, and tears began to run down his face. “Father, I wish you could be here. I always felt so safe when you held me. So safe and happy.”
   Uzuri heard rumors that all access to Rafiki might be cut off without advance notice. She put on her best limp and headed out to the tree. The large number of guards chosen to guard one elderly mandrill was a testament to Taka’s fear of him.
   A couple of hyenas stopped her. “My lady, no further please. We insist.”
   “I’m injured,” she said. “I need medical treatment.”
   “We have good doctors. May I recommend Da’klesh?”
   “Rafiki is familiar with my problem. Now if you want me to wake Shenzi from her nap, I’ll do it.”
   “No need. Come this way.”
   Surrounded by hyenas, she went to the baobab. It was a very tense moment, and she could feel the oppressive sense of being confined already.
   The moment she looked in the baobab, the mandrill’s face lit up. He threw his arms around his neck and kissed her. “Honey tree, you remembered old Rafiki?? I’ve missed you so much!” Then he backed off and looked worried. “Are you hurt? I should have asked before I grabbed you like that. What is it, old girl?? Nothing serious I hope.”
   She winked and shook her head no. “I think my shoulder is out of joint,” she said loudly. “If you don’t fix it, I won’t be able to hunt for a long time.”
   “Do something quick,” one of the hyena guards said, looking inside. “We don’t have enough food as it is!”
   Uzuri smiled sweetly and walked over to him. Clearly he was uneasy at her approach despite her smile and he backed out.
   “Don’t worry, sweetheart,” she purred. “You know I’ll always take care of you, even if the others do without.” She gave him a long, slow lick on the cheek. “Meet me behind Pride Rock at sunset, and don’t tell anyone.”
   “What’s this??” Krull demanded.
   “Nothing, Sir!” The hyena began to tremble. “She doesn’t know what she’s saying!”
   “Holding out on us, Dourbet??”
   Uzuri looked at Krull pleadingly. “Leave the poor boy alone.” She kissed Dourbet again. “It’s not like he’s the only one to beg for scraps. You ride them so hard, they all wonder who made you a god.”
   Krull went into a slow burn. “Well,” he said, his hackles raising, “They won’t wonder any more!!” He looked around. “General assembly, ON THE DOUBLE!!”
   Uzuri went back to Rafiki. As Krull cursed the guards loudly in Hyannic, Rafiki began to rub Uzuri’s stiff shoulder.
   She grunted in pleasure as the muscles loosened up. “We can talk now. They’ll be busy for a while.”
   “I’ll say, you little devil!” He chuckled--his first good laugh in a long while. “So my dear, what is the latest news? I never know when I’m being lied to by those fellows.”
   “Lies would have to be better than the truth,” Uzuri said with a sigh. “The land is dying. It’s being hunted out, and the rain has stopped. What’s happening to us?”
   “I wish I knew.” Rafiki began to rub the other side, his eyes half closed as his thoughts wandered. “There’s a lion to the east. His name is Ugas. If things go too badly here, you could make the excuse you’re hunting for gazelles. When you cross that border, honey tree, no one is going after you.”
   “I couldn’t do that. Not and leave my pride sisters in the lurch.”
   “Somehow I knew you’d say that. It’s one of the things I love about you.”
   She looked at him in the eyes for a moment and purred. “So you know Ugas?”
   “Not very well. And these days I don’t get out much.”
   “I know.” She began to groom around his face and neck and he sat still, a look of contentment on his face to feel her closeness. “I’ll mention your name the next time I see him. In fact, I might just arrange for you to drop by and see him in person. You could use some fresh air and sunshine.”
   He put his arm around her neck and gave her shoulder a pat. “If those hyenas were all that stood in my way, I’d be out like a sparrow. They raid my pantry when I’m not looking. A little Bumpweed in a honeycomb and I guarantee they’d all be sleeping like little pups while I walked out as big as you please.” He chuckled for a moment, but then looked down at the tooth of Ahadi he kept with him always. Fingering the ivory fang, a wistful look of sadness washed the joy from his face. “My life is rooted to the Pride Lands deeper than this old baobab. I’ve lived most of my life here, and I guess I’ll die here. Whether I die happy or sad is for Aiheu to decide.”

CHAPTER: UZURI AND UGAS

   A few evenings later Uzuri was meeting with the pride sisters to discuss the approach for the night’s hunt.
   “Tonight we’ll come into the Southern meadow. There is a group of Tommies down there and if we move fast, they’ll still be there if those hyenas will shut up and keep out of our way.”
   “How will we approach them?” Ajenti asked.
   “We’ll use the double blind method. You take the right side with Yolanda and Isha will come with me on the left while Fini leads the rest of you around through the wadi to wait for the signal.
   “Sarafina is sick,” Ajenti said. “Remember?”
   “Okay. Then Yolanda can lead that group.”
   “And who will that leave on the right with Isha?”
   She struggled to concentrate. “Oh, Beesa can do it. I don’t care. Let’s just do this thing before the darned gazelles go home, OK?”
   Uzuri paced away nervously. She was in her season, a time in her life that could make her feel very special or very alone.
   She sat down and sighed deeply. Rafiki was confined to the baobab or she would have asked his advice on what to do. Maybe he had some kind of herb to find her lost powers of concentration and dull the empty feeling inside of her. The temptation to push past the guards and plead for help was great.
   Still she could not risk two visits in such a short time--it might arouse suspicion. She sighed deeply again.
   Then she remembered who she could turn to for advice. Ugas was just across the Western Border. She had not accepted his invitation to come back, but this would be the time. He would dispense more of his fatherly advice and compassion.
   “Beesa, I don’t feel good. You lead this hunt the way we’ve planned, OK?”
   “Sure, hon.” She drew close and whispered, “You got yourself a Honey Tree out in the bushes?”
   “Beesa, you should be ashamed!” She added in a whisper, “Girl, I wish!”
   “There’s been a rogue male sighted to the south. Maybe you two will hit it off.”
   “Beesa!” Uzuri groomed one of her paws nervously. “I’m not selling myself to the highest bidder. Still, thank you.”
   Her remark was casual, but her inner turmoil was great. A lioness’ natural drives are as strong as a lion’s. Aiheu did not make them to rebel against the natural order of things, so she found herself at odds with her own body, a conflict that left her no place to run.
   Making sure no hyenas followed her, she went to the east and finally slipped into the neighboring territory. “Ugas? Are you out there?” There was no answer and she realized just how disappointed she was. “Ugas??”
   “Uzuri!” a rich voice said at last. The lion hurried over, his face beaming. “I’ve waited for you. I thought you’d forgotten me.”
   “I see you haven’t forgotten me,” Uzuri said. “Thanks.”
   “You’re unforgettable,” Ugas said. “I enjoyed our talk, but I’d like to get to know you a lot better. Can you stay a little longer?”
   She bowed her head. “You said if I had a problem I could come to you. Does the offer still stand? Can I tell you anything?”
   “Anything at all, my dear. I’m so glad you came back--I’ve been really worried about you.”
   “I don’t know what to do anymore. I can’t hunt with those hyenas- -well most of them. Some of them aren’t half bad, but that Pipkah-- ugh!! And their Incosi is a she-devil!!”
   “You didn’t come here to talk about hyenas.”
   “You’re very perceptive for a male.”
   He laughed. “It doesn’t take much perception to tell what’s bothering you.”
   She cleared her throat self-consciously. “Well, uh, yes. Ugas, I’m so alone and confused!”
   Ugas smiled sweetly. “Uzuri, you’re not alone now. And perhaps you’re not as much confused as you are frightened.”
   “Frightened of what?”
   “Frightened of this.” Ugas drew close and touched her cheek with his nose, then kissed her lightly. “Simple closeness. Letting your feelings show. Do you have a consort?”
   Uzuri looked at him timidly. “No. Why?”
   “Because all I could think about for the last moon was your beautiful, sad face. I wanted to kiss away your tears forever.” He nuzzled her, and though surprised, she did not pull away. “I’ve never seen your smile. I bet it’s beautiful.”
   “You’re toying with me.”
   “I’m too old for subterfuge and subtle gestures. Now let’s see that smile. Think of something happy. Like maybe fresh antelope.” He looked into her eyes deeply. “Not good enough? Then imagine the look on Taka’s face if he caught us making passionate love behind Pride Rock!”
   She tried to look away before the smile covered her face. Hiding behind a paw, she felt like slinking away, but he looked around her camouflage and said, “Oh, it IS a pretty smile. You should do it more often.”
   “You’re terrible!”
   “I know. Quite wicked. And if you can pardon me for dreaming out loud, I really would like to make passionate love to you. You make me tremble.”
   Uzuri shoved him with a paw. “You aren’t serious!”
   Ugas looked at her pleadingly. “I was never more serious. When you get to be my age, you see more and more yesterdays behind you and fewer and fewer tomorrows ahead.” He sighed. “I have no son to inherit my kingdom. I was almost desperate enough to form a loveless union, and then you came. Uzuri, I could love you. I could love you with my whole heart, my whole being. You’ve awakened feelings in me that I thought were dead. Am I selfish to want both a son and a little happiness before the sun sets on my life?” He waited a while for her reaction, but she stood unmoving, staring at him.
   He bowed his head. “I’m sorry. I still feel like the same young lion inside, before the evening aches and pains settle in. Sometimes I forget that I’m just an old fool.”
   “Ugas, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean....”
   “No need to apologize. Why would you want a broken-down has-been like me when you’re so young and beautiful? I wasn’t always old. There was a time when I might have lured you away from that lonely lifestyle and made you happy. Please tell no one you saw me this way out of respect for the Ugas that once was.”
   He turned and trudged away, his tail hanging limply and a distinct slump to his face and ears.
   “Ugas, wait!”
   He turned and looked at her, tears in his eyes.
   “Only if you will pledge to me,” she said.
   “And tie you down to an old carcass? How long could I make you happy?”
   “However long it would be is that much more than nothing. And I could give you sons.”
   “You just pity me. I shouldn’t have begged you. Maybe it’s better that I go now before you do something out of pity that we’ll both regret.” He turned and trudged away again.
   “I don’t pity you, Ugas. I want to give you a son. My world is slowly crumbling around me--I need your love. Come back and I’ll prove it to you. You’re a dear, sweet creature and I’ve been thinking about you since we met--all the time.”
   He stopped and looked back. He straightened to full height and looked like a real lion again. “Please Uzuri, I have feelings. Don’t say that unless you really mean it.”
   “I never say what I don’t mean.”
   Trembling, he stalked over to her, his gaze locked into hers, and he held out his left paw to touch her shoulder. “Before I lose my nerve, I’m going to say it!” He drew in a breath, let it out in a sigh, then said, “Before the gods, before the stars, before the assembled host I swear to give you my protection, my life, and my comfort forever."
   She purred and nuzzled him. "Till the last beat of my heart, to the last breath I sigh, our lives are one, so help me gods."
   He took his large paw and fondled her cheek. “I’ve only seen you twice. Once for an evening. And once more for the rest of my life. Bless you, Uzuri! You’ll never be lonely again, and you’ll never feel regret or hopelessness again. Come, let me show you around your new home!”
   “My new home?” Her smile dropped. “This is foolish. I can’t be your queen! I have responsibilities and family. They need me!”
   “Uzuri! Oh gods, what are you saying?”
   “I’m sorry, Ugas. Our vows have not been sealed, and it’s best that I leave now.”
   “No, you just can’t!” He ran in front of her and stared at her with wide eyes. “Please, Uzuri! Beloved! Can’t you at least stay with me as you can get away? I want you by my side always, but if you can only visit, don’t renounce our pledge! I’ll always be here when you need me. I didn’t want to beg before, but I’m begging you! Uzuri, I’m begging you!”
   “Ugas, please don’t!”
   Tears began to stream down his face. “If you leave me now, never come back. You remind me of too many things I’ve lost--youth, beauty, hope.”
   “Ugas, don’t cry!”
   “Why shouldn’t I?? If it bothers you, go tend to your responsibilities and you won’t have to watch.”
   “Fine.” She turned around, her nose slightly lifted and began to trot away. But after a few steps, her head lowered and her ears drew back. A tear ran down her cheek. “What am I doing??”
   She whipped about and ran to the old lion, nuzzling him desperately. “Forgive me, darling! Forgive me!”
   Ugas nuzzled her face, then rubbed against her neck, walking slowly along her and letting his tail stroke her under her chin. “Since you stumbled into my life, you’re all I think about. You’re the first thing I want to see in the morning, and the last thing I want to see at night. I want to fill my senses with you!”
   She sighed deeply. “I’ve never felt this way before.”
   “I thought I’d lost you, but when you came back, I knew it was our destiny to be together.”
   “If it is our destiny, then it must be so.” She nuzzled him passionately and purred. “Ugas, make love to me.”

CHAPTER: PARTING OF THE WAYS

   The morning sun painted Pride Kopje with golden optimism. Uzuri missed the shelter of her old cave, but she delighted in the feel of Ugas’ mane and felt very safe with his strong arm around her. Still, it was time to go, and she gently and quietly worked her way free of her lover’s embrace and got to her feet without waking him. For three days she had craved his closeness and whispered a thousand loving names in his ear. For three days her grief and loneliness had been lost in his love. But the light of dawn was revealing more to her than the savanna. She could see clearly that her sisters would miss her, and they were suffering for lack of her leadership.
   She considered waking him to whisper farewell, but thought better of it and silently trudged away.
   Ugas felt cold, and opened one eye. “Uzuri! Are you leaving without saying good bye?”
   She looked around. “Ugas, beloved, you looked like a sweet little cub lying there. I didn’t want to remember you sad. But even the best dream has to end, and it’s time for me to go.”
   He stood quickly. “But you’re taking my heart with you! When it crosses that boundary, it will cease to beat! Uzuri, have you learned nothing in these whole three days? Nothing at all?”
   “I must head home--there are others counting on me. But someday when things are better for my pride, I will come back to stay. Till then, remember what you agreed to--when I have to leave I will leave. You agreed, remember?”
   “I remember, but....”
   “But I’ll be back, love, and we’ll take up where we left off.”
   “Please hurry. I’m not getting any younger.”
   “None of us are, Ugas.” She ran back and nuzzled him. “Don’t worry if your heart leaves with me--I’ve left mine with you. It will always be with you, wherever I go.”

CHAPTER: JUST BETWEEN US

   Ugas’ love had taken on life within her. Uzuri was both proud and worried. For a while she could conceal her pregnancy, but as days turned into weeks, the other lionesses began to talk behind her back that she had the light in her eyes.
   Finally when the changes in her weight and balance began to affect her hunting, there was no need to pretend any longer. Her sister Sarafina was chosen to confront her because of her own daughter Nala. No one would dare imagine that Taka was the father of Nala, nor would they speculate about Uzuri and Taka--it was just too awful to think about!
   Sarafina thought of a dozen different approaches and discarded them one by one. Finally, she saw her sister alone and had worked up the nerve.
   Nuzzling Uzuri gently, Sarafina purred, “I’m so happy for you, Sis.”
   “About what?” Uzuri said tensely. “Have you heard some good news that I don’t know about?”
   Fini laughed gently and kissed her. “No, Sis! I don’t see how you couldn’t know about it. There’s a miracle happening inside of you.”
   Uzuri did not speak. Sarafina squirmed in the tenseness of the moment. “Look, Sis,” she said at last, “you have a heart full of love. I know how fond you were of Nala, and how you liked to groom her and play with her. And I used to pray that you’d fall in love and have children of your own. Let me be the Aunt that spoils the kids. Confide in me, Sis. Please? Don’t shut me out of this part of your life--I didn’t shut you out.”
   Uzuri looked down shyly. “How many times did you practice that speech?”
   “A dozen times at least. Only because I love you so much. Hon, you don’t ever have to be alone, not as long as I’m around.”
   Uzuri drew close and in a near whisper said, “Pray that at least one is a male.”
   “I guess so--but I thought you’d want all daughters. You know that sons are a heartbreak when they have to leave. Unless you’re a queen, anyhow.”
   “And who says I’m not a queen?” Uzuri smiled.
   “Oh my gods! Not--HIM??”
   Uzuri thought for a moment, then burst out laughing. “You mean Old Droopy Drawers! Shame on you for even thinking it!”
   Sarafina breathed a relieved sigh. “You had me worried, girl! If you’re a queen, then that time you were gone for three days...you weren’t really sick!”
   “I was in season and left for three days. Now I’m pregnant.” Uzuri glanced at her out of half-closed eyes. “You know, with your ability you should have been hunt mistress instead of me!”
   “Now, Sis! Spare me the sarcasm and tell me all the details!”
   “Well all the details is a bit much--right now anyway--but he’s a king and yes we’re married. He’s a little older but he could charm the thorns off an acacia. He’s sweet and gentle and....” She drew close to Sarafina’s ear and added, “....remarkably entertaining!”
   “Oh you little devil!” Sarafina said with a squeal of delighted approval. “Does he have a brother?”
   “Don’t you WISH!” Uzuri purred, examining her claws and meeting Sarafina in a sly sidelong glance. “When the time is right, our son will go meet him and take his place as prince. Then he’ll be king someday. Of course that can be postponed indefinitely--I’m having too much fun. Besides, I love him. He’s just like a lonely cub. When you see him, you want to protect him and make him feel happy.”
   “I’m so glad for you, Sis! But you’re not going to leave us, are you?”
   Uzuri’s pained expression left no doubt how she felt. “When things get better. But right now I’m not going to leave you in the lurch.”
   “I love you, Sis. I might just come with you. Little Nala too.”
   “Fini,” Uzuri purred, nuzzling her. “My happiness would be complete. But tell me about your mane event.”
   “He’s a rogue lion. I don’t want to say too much right now, but we’ve seen each other as often as possible. He’s a little older too, but very sexy. I don’t know what’s best--youthful enthusiasm or the wisdom of age....”
   Uzuri giggled. “NOW who’s the little devil!”

CHAPTER: THE TWINS

   All of the other lionesses plagued Sarafina for details. The only thing she would say is, “She has a husband.”
   Uzuri’s condition was evident to Taka, and he watched her progressing pregnancy with dread. He was afraid the lionesses would abandon him and leave him to feed all those hyenas himself. And when it was only him and his wife, he knew chances were good to excellent that they would hunt lions.
   Elanna was no less distraught, but for different reasons; she feared that Taka was being unfaithful. This suspicion, never voiced aloud, still hovered between them like a Makei until the birth of Uzuri’s cubs. Elanna went to see Uzuri and Sarafina, and she cooed and fondled the cubs with undisguised delight. They were not at all like her husband, something she secretly thanked Aiheu for as she kissed Uzuri on the cheek. “I hope you’ve found your true love,” she said discretely. “I know I have.”
   Uzuri, who was not entirely blind said, “Their father loves me the way Taka loves you--completely. He will be pleased to know he has a son.”
   “Two sons,” Elanna said.
   “Togo and Kombi.”
   “I wish you’d had a daughter. It’s going to be hard when their mantlement comes.”
   Uzuri looked at her intently. “Can I trust you?”
   Sarafina shook her head ever so slightly in disapproval, but Uzuri either did not see it or did not care. “They have a future. Not here, but they do have one. But tell no one--it’s our little secret.”
   “Not even my husband?” Elanna said.
   “Especially not your husband,” Uzuri said. Then realizing how it might sound, she quickly added, “He’d give anything for a son. I don’t want to rub it in--you know how melancholy he gets. And Lannie, this must be hard on you too. I’m so sorry.”
   Elanna nodded. “As long as I have my Taka, I can get by.” She was on the verge of tears. “I can understand how some people might dislike him. I know there are a few that wish to harm him. Love hasn’t turned me into a complete fool. But Uzuri, there are times when we are alone when he can be beautiful and gentle and witty and so full of love. Under all that fear and rage, there’s a little cub that just wants to feel safe and loved. And no matter what he ever does or ever becomes, my destiny is to love him and protect him from all the hate in the world. They all think I’m crazy to feel that way about him. You don’t think I’m crazy, do you?”
   “No, hon.” She thought about Ugas, and for one moment she could understand what Lannie saw in him. “How’s Sarabi taking this?”
   Tears ran down Elanna’s cheeks. “We hardly speak anymore. This little talk is more than I’ve heard from everyone else for the last moon. Only Taka ever speaks to me anymore. My own sister will turn her head to keep from looking in my eyes. Oh gods, Uzuri, I’m all alone in the world! What would I do if something happened to him??”
   “It’s unfair,” Uzuri said. She patted the ground with her paw. “You’re not that alone. Come here, Lannie.”
   Elanna laid by Uzuri quietly, with her side along the ridge of Uzuri’s back while she nursed her cubs. She felt her breath come and go, and felt the gentle tenor of the pulse in her neck. She listened to the cubs feeding and to the soft sounds they uttered to each other and to their mother. Her stress began to work itself out and in a few minutes, Elanna got up much improved and kissed Uzuri’s cheek. “I’ve been carrying on like a mad jackal. Someday Aiheu will reward you for being my friend. Can I come back sometimes?”
   “Any time you want.”
   Elanna hurried back to her husband. Full of peace and love, she snuggled alongside his warm body and nuzzled his dark mane.
   “My, you’re in a good mood,” Taka said, fondling her with a paw. “Your fit of depression seems to be lifting.”
   “And it’s not coming back, I think.” She nuzzled him again. “Uzuri’s children are quite beautiful, aren’t they?”
   “I have yet to find out,” he said crossly. “I couldn’t even get near her today. You’d think those lionesses had never seen a cub before. I shall have to make a formal inspection in the morning.”
   “Good. That means I have you all to myself tonight.” She began to groom him lovingly and nuzzle him until at last he had to smile.

CHAPTER: THE INSPECTION

   The next morning, Sarafina came in to see Uzuri. “Here he comes,” was all she said or needed to say. Uzuri felt her stomach tighten up with fear as the long-dreaded confrontation approached.
   Taka entered her cave. “Good morning, hunt mistress.”
   “Good morning, sire.”
   Taka approached the twin cubs and looked at them. He smiled and touched each of them with his tongue. “You are blessed, Uzuri. Twin sons.”
   Uzuri nodded as Taka sat down, his tail flicking back and forth.
   “I was young and fresh like them once,” he said. “Before I was marked, and life took it’s toll on me, there were people that thought I was cute. Remember, Uzuri?”
   “You were a cute cub. I remember.”
   He fondled her sons with his paw. One of them reached up and swatted at him and Taka had to laugh. “Look at them. They are too young to know I’m ugly. When I kiss them, they don’t want to slink away and rub it off in the grass.”
   “You don’t look that bad. People are just afraid. Afraid of you and afraid of the hyenas. Maybe you have this unique kind of thing with them. Maybe they like you. But they don’t like us. They make it painfully clear that all we’re good for is hunting. Don’t take my word for it--just ask them.”
   “It’s too late to change that now.” He sighed and his shoulders sagged. “I will never live to see them gone, just as I will never live to be forgiven for bringing them here. I don’t think they like me any more than they like you, but they bow and scrape before me, seeking favors. They’ll kill me when they get the chance. Every time I pass one of them, I wonder, ‘will it be you?’ And every night the same dream reminds me that each day may be my last.”
   “Oh gods, how awful!”
   He examined her face carefully. “So you’re not amused by my plight?” He purred. “You have a kind heart, just like your mother had.” He put his paw on hers and gave her a gentle pat.
   Uzuri was surprised. She met his glance directly, and the kindness in his eyes was genuine. While he was in such a good mood, she sought her heart’s desire.
   “Sire, when you were born you weren’t breathing. I saw Rafiki breathe life into you with his own mouth.” She put her other paw on his. “Can’t you find it in your heart to forgive him? It would mean a lot to me. Please?”
   He heaved a sigh. “Of all else, I could forgive him. But for trapping me in this life of pain, I cannot.” He winced at the thought. “And what’s worse, I am too much of a coward to undo it. If I could just go to sleep one night and never wake up....” He sighed as a tear rolled down his cheek, then kissed the cubs once more. “I do tend to run on like a fool, don’t I?” He rose and turned. His shoulders slumped under the weight of the world as he trudged away.
   Sarafina hovered protectively near Uzuri and her cubs. “Phew, thank the gods that’s over.”
   Uzuri looked at Sarafina and sighed. “Will things ever be well again? There’s some kind of curse on this place--I can feel it.”
   “That’s why you wanted Rafiki back, isn’t it?”
   “One small reason, Sis. One reason among many.”
   “You’re rather fond of him, aren’t you.”
   “Aren’t we all.”
   “But you especially.”
   Uzuri looked at her from half-lidded eyes. “Where’s this leading?”
   “Nowhere.”
   Uzuri purred. “There’s so much goodness and kindness in his heart. Of all the people I’ve ever known, he’s the most like Aiheu. He loves everyone.”
   “That may be. But he adores you.”
   “Come on, Fini!”
   “You can ‘come on Fini’ till Pride Rock crumbles to dust. I’m telling you that monkey thinks the sun rises and sets just for you.”
   “So he adores me! What’s wrong with that?”
   Sarafina smiled sweetly. “If he wasn’t a mandrill, I’d say he’s sweet on you.”
   “Fini, you should be ashamed of yourself!” She laughed. “He’s just very demonstrative.” A troubled look came across her face. “That’s just part of being an ape,” she said as if she were trying to convince herself. “Ask anyone.”
   Later that day as Taka rested on the tip of the promontory watching the wide savanna below he saw the ungainly approach of Gopa the stork. Gopa landed a great flapping of wings and bowed. “I have your daily report, Sire.”
   Taka looked down at Uzuri, who lay sunning herself on a rock below with her cubs nursing peacefully. Tameka lay beside her, clearly with the light in her eyes. “Gopa, where are all these new children coming from? I have cubs practically running out of my ears!”
   Gopa bent down and almost whispered, “Who do you THINK brought all those cubs? The stork? Well it certainly wasn’t me.”
   Taka looked at him askance. “What the devil are you talking about?”
   “Forget it,” Gopa sighed.

CHAPTER: DOUBLE TROUBLE

   When Togo and Kombi were first born, they slept most of the time, and they moved around very little. But by the age of three moons they never stopped moving, and everywhere they moved trouble followed close behind.
   It must be understood that Uzuri was a strict mother. Around her, the twins were as good as gold--even better. She used to brag about how well-behaved they were to the other lionesses. Most of the time they would listen patiently and nod. There were a few times, however, when their patience ran thin. Times when someone else’s cub would misbehave and Uzuri would look at the mother with a superior attitude and say, “Togo and Kombi would never do a thing like that.”
   The love Uzuri felt from her pride sisters was well-earned. No one would dare compromise her happiness by telling her what they thought of Togo and Kombi. At least not aloud.
   One day, an outraged Isha was chasing them when Sarafina innocently stepped in the way. Togo and Kombi hid behind her trembling and Isha barely stopped in time to avoid crashing into the three of them.
   “What’s wrong here??” Fini demanded. “Isha, remember your low boiling point!”
   “Where is the mother of those--PERSONS??”
   “I’m her sister. I’ll handle it.”
   “Well, you asked for it. These two little hellions....” She bent close to Sarafina’s ear and while Togo and Kombi huddled behind her for protection they strained to hear what she was saying.
   “You’re kidding!”
   “No, I’m not! I caught them in the act!”
   “I’ll take care of them, Isha. It won’t happen again.”
   “Well it had BETTER not!”
   “I’m sorry,” Togo said, sniffling. “We’ll be good from now on.”
   “I’ll give them a good talking to,” Sarafina said.
   “I sure hope so. That mother of theirs ought to cuff them more often.”
   Kombi began to bawl. “We were just funning! I’m sorry, Isha.”
   “Well, OK I guess,” she said, somewhat mollified. Isha could not stand to see cubs cry, even Togo and Kombi.
   When Isha walked off, her dignity defended, Sarafina glared at the twins. “What am I going to do with you two??”
   Togo and Kombi pleaded with all their charm and hound-dog expressions of remorse for her not to tell Mom.
   Sarafina softened a little. “Kombi, don’t you understand that a joke isn’t funny when people get hurt? I like a good joke as much as anyone, but when you love someone you should respect them and try to think about how THEY are going to feel when they find a fully-grown.... Well, you know what I mean.”
   “I’m sorry,” Kombi said, tears coming to his eyes.
   “And you, Togo. I know you probably didn’t start this, but you went along with it. That’s almost as bad. You love Isha, don’t you?”
   “Yes ma’am.” Togo was the shy one and he looked like he wanted to crawl under a rock.
   “Do you think what you did was the best way to show it?”
   “No ma’am.” He began to wail and huddled up tight against her. “She’s really mad at me, isn’t she?”
   “Yes, but she’ll get over it. Look, we’ll forget it this time. But you have been warned.”
   For the rest of the day at least, Togo and Kombi were as good as two Nisei, but whenever Kombi had to pass Isha, he’d look at her suspiciously and change direction. By contrast, when Isha awoke from her mid-sun nap, she felt something warm and soft snuggled against her, and she fondled Togo with her paw. Kombi, sitting off a discrete distance, watched uncomfortably. Isha jerked her head ever so slightly and grunted. Then Kombi stirred himself and gamboled over, a relieved smile on his face. He rubbed his small back and tail under her chin and over her strong neck. “I really am sorry. Please don’t stay mad at me.”
   “I really should, you know.” She nuzzled Kombi and kissed his cheek. “I hope you learned your lesson.”
   Uzuri also stirred from her nap. “Fini, where are the boys?”
   “Oh, around and about.”
   “That’s not good enough. Nothing must happen to them, Fini. Not just for my sake, but for their father’s sake.”
   She stretched and yawned, then quickly began to search Pride Rock for her children. They were not in the small cave where they liked to play. They were not by the cistern. Still, there were several places left where they MIGHT be. Oh if only Zazu were on the job, they would be properly supervised. Zazu loved children though he often had an odd way of showing it. Gopa didn’t really give half a minnow for the children. “Smelly, noisy things,” he would croak with irritation. “They really should be hidden away till they’re old enough to behave themselves.”
   And then Sarafina had an odd thought. She knew Togo almost better than he knew himself, and she led Uzuri to Isha’s rock. And there, snuggled to her side, were Togo and Kombi.
   Uzuri breathed a relieved sigh. “Look at them, Fini. Isn’t that sweet! They’re just a pair of little angels!”
   Sarafina quickly bit her tongue to keep from laughing. “They’re a pair, all right.”

CHAPTER: PEACE AT LAST

   The hunt mistress had been having a hard time finding food in the overhunted and parched Pride Lands. There was little to do except to hunt for all kinds of unwholesome creatures that only desperate lions would attempt to choke down. Togo and Kombi were growing drastically emaciated, and Uzuri was even worse off. The only way her twins survived was the generosity of Ugas who would have Adhama pass her an occasional hare. He did not know about his sons yet, but he suspected that she was struggling even harder than she would admit.
   Disgusted, she returned empty yet again to her favorite rock, there to wait for one simple pleasure she allowed herself. Every night, Shimbekh would come and talk with her. From Shimbekh, Uzuri learned many stories of the hyenas and even a few phrases in their language. In return, Uzuri taught her about Aiheu and all the stories of the great kings of the past. These brought her comfort in her distress, and of late Shimbekh had looked strangely tormented.
   Time passed. One Called Alligator and The Three Monkeys rose above the horizon. The moon sailed like a silent swan to the zenith of the heavens, crested at midmoon, then settled lower in the western sky. And still Shimbekh did not come. Irritated, Uzuri was ready to leave. “She knows we have a standing date.” But it occurred to her that the hyena might be sick.
   Shoving through the brush, a look of desolation on her face, Makhpil went to Uzuri and fell before her, sobbing.
   “There now, my child! What’s wrong?”
   “It’s Shimbekh,” she gasped. “Holy Mother Roh’kash, she jumped into the gorge!”
   “Oh no!” Uzuri pulled Makhpil close with a paw. “Oh gods, no! You poor creature!” Tears began to stream down her face.
   Togo and Kombi were attracted by the commotion. Miserable, they huddled next to their mother and Makhpil.
   “We have to set her soul free,” Makhpil sobbed. “I don’t want Shenzi to know. I hate her! It has to be just us, and maybe Ber. She liked him, you know.”
   Sadly, Uzuri trudged with Makhpil and Ber to the side of the gorge followed by her twin sons. They sat on the spot where her trail abruptly ended. Togo looked over the side.
   “Get away from there!” Uzuri shouted, pulling him back by the nape of the neck and then grooming him nervously.
   Makhpil wailed--a high-pitched, heart rending cry that made Togo and Kombi’s hackles raise and their tails bristle. “Roh’kash, give me strength to walk this path alone, for my companion is gone into the east.”
   “We look to the dawn where comes our salvation,” Ber said. “May your firstborn find no fault in her. May he recognize her righteousness.”