Like Water and Rain (Chapter 14)

GOD DAMN IT!

I swatted away a rock, sending it flying, I cursed myself. How could I so foolish as to hide the details of the ambush from Kiara? Now, she can’t even trust me anymore, leaving me feeling stung by a thousand bees. Walking further away from Pride Rock, I had to get away from the pride. My own mistake caused my Princess and the King to almost die because of me, losing the trust of the lioness I cared about the most...it’s heart-wrenching.

‘’Why didn’t I tell her earlier?!’’ I cursed myself as I kept headbutting a tree. ‘’I kept saying I wanted to protect her, but all I told her is that I wanted to protect her from Zira...and I can’t even do that!!’’''' '''

I looked down at a little puddle next to the tree and sighed. ‘’It’s my fault that it happened...I didn’t warn them that Zira was to launch an ambush. Instead, look what happened out of that!’’

‘’You seem to be in quite de tricky situation, my friend.’’ I heard Rafiki’s voice say as the baboon in question was sitting on a rock in front of the tree. ‘’Conflicted, are you? Sad because of wrongdoings, your own or otherwise?’’

Sighing, I walked to the mandrill. ‘’Yeah...I didn’t tell Kiara of Zira’s ambush earlier and I lost her trust and maybe even friendship because of it.’’

‘’Hmm...quite de issue, indeed.’’ He rubbed his beard before disappearing, then reappearing next to me. ‘’But you know what to do, no?’’

‘’Of course not, Rafiki.’’ I scoffed. ‘’It’s over. Kovu’s with Zira, Kion and The Guard would be too busy with other matters, Kiara doesn’t trust me anymore and...I just lost hope. Zira’s going to attack tomorrow night and nothing can prepare them for it.’’

‘’Hope is never lost, my friend!’’ Rafiki cackled, then put an arm around me. ‘’You see, there’s a difference between running from your problems and learning to solve them!’’

‘’How can I solve this?’’ I asked, baffled. But the old baboon simply chuckled. ‘’There’s no way this can be fixed…’’

‘’That’s where you’re wrong, Shujaa.’’ He put a finger on my nose. ‘’Most of the time, things can be fixed. Kiara knows you were just wanting to protect her, she’s just too shaken from today’s events and your revelation. This is an issue that should not be resolved by distancing, but my uniting!’’

‘’Uniting under what?!’’ I asked, tone raised, but the baboon was not fazed. ‘’Under drums of war?! She possibility of The Pridelands being conquered just because I didn’t help stop their ambush!?’’

I leaked a tear. ‘’Nothing can stop this.’’

‘’It may seem like that.’’ Rafiki reminded me. ‘’But like I once told King Simba, you can either run from the past or..’’

Suddenly, I was whacked on the head with his stick.

‘’Learn from it!’’

‘’How do you suppose whacking me in the head will convince me to come to terms with what I did?’’ I asked.

‘’Because…’’ He continued. ‘’It was in the past...and sometimes, while the past may hurt...it will always end in happiness and unity. Perhaps you could try doing dat with Kiara, eh?’’

‘’What would be the point?’’  I groaned. ‘’She knows the truth now and she hates me for it.’’

‘’My boy, she does not hate you.” He scratched my mane. “She simply needs time to calm down. A traumatic event like that is something that's tough to get over, hm?”

‘’I guess..’’ I shrugged. ‘’So what do I do?’’

‘’Help her like you wanted to.’’ He said, putting his arm on my shoulder. ‘’Through troubling times, support is needed, verbally, emotionally or physically.’’

As I looked down, he continued. ‘’You both care about each other, but a part of a friendship is you have to learn how to close gaps in one.’’

As I thought more into it, I embraced the mandrill.

“Thanks, Rafiki.”

“No...thank you.”''' '''

Then Rafiki left, leaving me to look back at Pride Rock, which was in the distance. Looking at the ground, I then looked at the rock. “Let's hope this works…”

--

“Kiara…” I whispered to the lioness, who was weeping on a hill after Nala told me where she was.

“What do you want, Connor..?” She asked, a who bucket of emotions at the moment. “I...I don't understand….why didn't you tell us..why didn't you tell me…?”

I laid next to her. “It's...complicated.”

“How..?”

“Kiara...I didn't want to go through with the plan, I didn't have the heart to do so.” I explained, cupping her paws. “We live in a world where truths and lies clash together like wildebeests. But I do know one truth.”

“And what's that?”

A smile. “No matter what happens, I will always be here...with you.”

Looking down, then back at me, Kiara embraced me. “I'm so sorry…”

Rubbing the back of her head as we nuzzled, embrace still going on, I chuckled. “Apology accepted. Though you might need to control your attitude, Princess.”''' '''

A loving scoff. “I could say the same thing about you, Connor.”

“Hardly.” I replied. “Get my attitude from my mother, so I don't I'll change anytime soon.”

“Fine with me.” Kiara winked before licking my forehead. “Just so long as you don't run off into danger.”

That caused me to sputter. “W-What? You're not safari safety either, Kiara.”

Next thing I knew, I was flat on my back with Kiara pinning me down. “No, but I keep better care of my head. You still have a vine wrapped around it from months ago.”

“I'm too hard headed.” I shrugged and she giggled.

“Isn't that a fact?” She got off me before walking back towards Pride Rock, vines also covering her body. At my concerned face, she smiled. “I'm fine, Connor, I promise.”

You two mend fences faster than I thought...and I expected it to be quick.

Eh, whaddya supposed to do?

“Of you say so.” I shrugged as Kiara walked towards the rock, me following.

--

The rest of it was not so good. Turns out, it'll take days before Simba is able to leave the den, effectively leaving The Pridelanders without a leader. Debate started to run wild in the pride over who exactly will lead them into battles and security of the kingdom.

Kiara and I observed the debates, focused on if we should step up.

“Think we should do it?” I asked the lioness, who rubbed her arm.

“I mean…” Kiara chuckled sheepishly. “I'm not exactly qualified leadership material.”

‘’Trust me, neither of us really are.’’ But I put a paw on hers. ‘’But you’re the Princess. You’re the future Queen of these lands….prove to them that you’re worthy of your title.’’

My assuring smile and confidence in her abilities caused Kiara to smile back. ‘’You can do it...I know you can.’’

Tearing up a bit, Kiara wiped them away and frowned in determination. ‘’I’ll do it.’’

The surprise of the pride was all I needed to add. ‘’And to make sure she doesn’t mess up, we’re doing this together.’’

Blinking at me, then smirking, Kiara replied. ‘’Let’s just hope you don’t go crashing into a cliff.’’

‘’I’m not that stupid. ‘’ I scoffed, but looked back at the amused pride.

‘’But are you sure you two want to do this?’’ Nala asked. ‘’If what happened earlier today is any sign, Zira is planning a full scale invasion of The Pridelands.’’

‘’I lived in The Outlands for nearly a year.’’ I reminded the Queen. ‘’I know the strategies she’ll use.’’

A wink came from me. ‘’You can count on us to get the job done, Nala.’’

The Queen walked up to her daughter and smiled proudly. ‘’I knew you could someday take up the mantle of leadership...even if it’s just for one battle.’’''' '''

Frowning, I huffed. ‘’Nala, may I remind you that Simba still needs to recover from his injuries.’’

‘’Good point…’’

‘’But..’’ I walked up the edge of Pride Rock with Kiara and Nala behind me, overseeing the crowd of animals. ‘’This is not something our pride can do alone.’’

I finally understand now….that silly prophecy…

Out of conflict, two hearts of distrust come together...out of darkness, these hearts unite..

It was me and Kiara..''' '''

‘’Animals of The Pridelands!’’ Kiara started to speak. ‘’My father, King Simba, is injured, hurt during an ambush attack that nearly took both of our lives. And while I may have blamed this lion here for the lack of information, he is a very worthy and loyal one.’’

I smilled in admiration before she continued.

‘’Just because I wear these vines around my body doesn’t mean I can’t lead, and this one here has showed me that.’’ She gestured to me, then back at the kingdom. ‘’In this time of need, we must band together in order to protect our friends! Our families! Our HOME!’’

The animals cheered before I added in on it. ‘’We will NOT run from this! Our entire way of life is at risk, threatened by the impending invasion. Tonight, we rally under one cause..tomorrow night, we save The Pridelands!’’

More cheering before Kiara and I nuzzled each other.

Man, did it feel good to be a leader.

I’m a better one.

Ah, shut it.

Note: Even when darkness falls before a relationship and a kingdom, unity and hope will conquer in the end.

 

NEXT: Time is ticking and Zira’s invasion commences tomorrow night, but when Scar decides to talk to Shujaa, he gives him a decision that will be bad in both scenarios: Leave The Pridelands or leave his family?