Zira

The air turned black all around me. Smoke filled my lungs; I could not see or breathe. I knew I had to run to locate my family swiftly before the fire put them to an end.

"Mom, mom!"

I can hear my son Nuka weak cry for help. He is still alive thankfully, but I must take quick action. I follow his little voice to our private den beneath a now blazing Pride Rock. I entered the den and found Nuka laying down almost lifeless trying to grasp for any oxygen left. I nudge my wet nose on his furry cheek to gently bring him back to consciousness.

"Sweetheart, we must go. It is no longer safe here."

Nuka coughed and nodded his head as he slowly got up on his little cream paws. I picked him up by the scruff and raced out of the den which is now filled with fire and heavy smoke. I must next find Taka (Scar). The last time I was with Taka, he told me he had an important meeting to attend with the hyenas. There was a complaint with one of the pride lionesses that the hyenas threatened to attack one of their cubs. The hyenas have been starving like the rest of us here and had no problems making a lion cub a quick meal. It is the desperate survival of fittest here. The herds have moved on to better greener areas, many miles away. Occasionally we would be lucky to find prey but not always. The Pride Lands have become a deserted land.

Once Nuka and I were able to safely escape the fire, I ran into my adult sister Niyara who was also found safe alongside a few other pride lionesses. Niyara's pelt is like mine, brown tinged with tan. Her paws, underbelly, and muzzle are a paler shade of tan. She does not have black upper ear rims nor a dark stripe that ran from her mid-back to her forehead. We both share the same nose, black and curved. The color of her eyes is midnight blue. I am the oldest sibling.

As I approach Niyara, she rushes to me with a welcoming head bud. She squeezes her eyes tightly shut as tears stream uncontrollably down her furry cheeks. "Zira, thank the heavens you two are okay! I was almost beginning to think I've lost you..."

I sit Nuka down between us and gave my sister a warm hug purring softly, "I am glad to know you are here safe too Niyara." We release from the hug. I scan around in search of Taka. I do not see him anywhere. I began to panic.

"Niyara, where is Taka? Have you seen him here with you?" I ask anxiously.

Niyara had a frightened look. "The last time I saw him he was in a battle with Simba and the hyenas."

"Simba?" I said taken aback. "As in Taka's nephew, Mufasa and Sarabi's son Simba?"

She nodded, "Yes Zira. Simba is alive and has returned to Pride Rock to battle Scar. He wants to take his place back as King. We cannot stay here; we must leave now. I was trying to wait on you and the others before we make an escape."

I furrow my brows, "Niyara we are not going anywhere. This is our home too. I need to go find Taka now. Can you please watch Nuka? I will be back. I need to have a word with Simba."

Little Nuka cradles himself between his aunt's front legs. He looks stressed given everything that is currently going on. Being a child, he does not quite understand what is going on yet. Niyara nodded her head with a worried expression, "Yes. Please be careful my sister."

I immediately took off running up to Pride Rock. It begins to rain, putting an end to the fire and cooling the land. We have not had any rain in a couple of months. It felt wonderful on my fur. As I am going up the magnificent rock, I see plenty of dead hyenas. Most were taken out by the fire. I stumbled across Shenzi, Banazi, and Ed. They were Taka's most loyal companions. It was devasting to see their burnt corpse laying around. I said a quick farewell to them before continuing the path to the very top of Pride Rock where I'd hope to find Simba and Taka both. I pray that Taka is still alive.

When I finally made it to the top of Pride Rock, I found Simba first with Nala beside him. Their backs were turned as they were in a conversation with Rafiki the shaman and Simba's mother Sarabi. I approach them slowly. I was baffled; my sister was right...Simba is alive. He looked so much like his father Mufasa that it was indeed scary. It was like Mufasa was back from the dead. How can this be? How was he able to survive all this time? Did someone rescue him? Taka promised us all that Mufasa and Simba were both gone for good.

"Where is Taka?" I questioned them.

Sarabi met her orange eyes with my red ones. She looked astonished. I heard Rafiki say to Simba, "Simba, you must tell her the truth. It is the right way to keep the peace between both parties."

I raised my brow as I took a step closer. "What is going on?"

Simba and Nala both turned around to face me. Nala looked very guarded as if she thought I was going to lunge at her. She never trusted me or Taka. I rolled my eyes at her with annoyance. I can care less about Nala right now. I want my mate, Taka. Sarabi stood on the sidelines beside Rafiki.

Simba gave me a serious facial expression. "Zira, we need to talk."

I did not dare to take a step close to Simba. I do not trust him and do not know what he'd do to me knowing that I am Taka's mate. I am pretty sure he is quickly filled in about Taka's reign.

"Simba, where is Taka?" I calmly ask.

"Scar unfortunately did not survive the fire. We were in battle one-on-one for the throne. The hyenas turned their backs on him and attacked. The fire grew in close, ending his life. Before we fought, I gave Scar a chance to live to run away and never return. He refused the exile and thus we battled. Zira I am very sorry for your loss, I wished best for Scar and did not-"

"ENOUGH!" I angrily shout.

Nala, Sarabi, and Rafiki looked appalled.

I growl, "I don't believe anything you say Simba. Don't pretend to be nice here. Let's face it, you came back to the Pride Lands to claim your throne and to end your uncle. I don't believe the hyenas took Taka's life. They were his companions and would never do a thing to harm him. I bet you threw Taka in that fire as revenge because of what he'd done to Mufasa in the gorge?! Didn't you?!"

Simba looked apologetic. "No Zira that is not true. Unlike Scar, I would never kill a family member. He took my father his brother away from me. I can never have him back."

"And I can never have my mate back."

Anger took over me, I unsheathed my claws preparing to lunge and attack Simba. Nala and three other lionesses jump in front of Simba to protect him. Simba is the King now. They will do anything to protect him. The lionesses I recognize. One is Nala's mother Sarafina, and the other two were once a friend of mine. Now they are traitors.

"It does not have to be this way Zira." Simba said.

"What did you do with his body?" I desperately ask.

Rafiki pointed his stick towards a shadowy area amongst the rocks. I raced over with tears welling up in my eyes. I can barely see as the rain continues pouring down. I see a lifeless body laying down. As I enter the shadows, the body becomes visible. It was Taka. Taka's body was covered in severe burns and battle wounds. His mane looked tangled. The rain has mostly washed away the blood, but I can still smell the stench of death. I broke down into full tears. My mate, my lover, my best friend is now gone. I have no idea what to do or where to go now. Taka was all that I had besides our son Nuka and my sister Niyara. We have no other family. How will I be able to explain this Nuka? He loved his father and had a good relationship. He will be broken.

"Zira?"

I hear strong paws approach me from behind. It was Simba again, "You're more than welcome to stay here in the Pride Lands. We do not have to be enemies and can work something out as a family."

I turn around with a snarl, "NEVER! You took him away from me and my son. This will be unforgettable. I will avenge Taka every chance I get Simba."

Simba growls angrily with frustration. "So be it then. Zira you are now exiled of the Pride Lands!"

Sarabi looked saddened, "Simba..."

After everything Taka had put Sarabi through, I was stunned to witness that she had a bit of heart for me. All these years we've never had a friendship. Now that I have also lost a mate, Sarabi knows how deeply I feel.

"Fine, as you wish your majesty."

I said my final goodbyes to Taka's body and calmly exited the scene. As much as I wanted to fight Simba, I couldn't. At least not alone. Simba has most of the pride to defend him. I am outnumbered. I rush my way down to the bottom of Pride Rock back to my sister and Nuka.

"Mom!" Nuka happily cheers seeing me run towards them.

Niyara sees fear and seriousness on my face. "Zira, what's wrong?"

"Niyara, we must go now!" I say while quickly grabbing Nuka by the scruff.

"Wait, where's Scar?"

"Dead. Simba killed him and exiled me; we can no longer stay here."

Niyara eyes showed sorrow. "No..." she said in disbelief.

Five lionesses slowly walked towards us. Three of them are the shade of camel and the other two taupe.

"We are coming with you too, Zira." One spoke. "Your mate gave us each a chance at life when we did not have a place to call home. Our loyalty resides."

I smile, nodding my head at them knowing that my sister and I are not alone. And so, our journey begins as we exit the Pride Lands together to find a new home. I pray that Taka is above protecting us all. Simba stands at the very top of Pride Rock watching us leave. He sent Zazu out to make sure that we'd crossed the other side of the border. I have no idea what lies ahead but I do have a lot to plan. I must get rid of Simba and claim the Pride Lands back as ours for Taka. His reign must live on.

This is not over.

----------------------

Niyara means, "with utmost purpose" in Swahili.

Any Illustration used throughout this book goes to the respected artist ©