Nala yawned luxuriously in the morning light. Blinking her eyes rapidly, she stood up, extending her forelegs in front of her, shifted her weight to the rear and stretched. She closed her eyes in ecstasy as she felt the muscles in her back and legs tingle as they loosened.
      Straightening up, she steped over to where Simba lay. Smiling to herself, she bent down and licked his nose. "Wake up, hon."
      He twitched his nose reflexively, but otherwise didn't react. Her smile widening, Nala leaned over and nuzzled his face. Pursing her lips, she sent a gentle puff of air into his ear. He twitched spasmodically, flipping a paw up to brush her away. "Cut it out, Pumbaa, " he chuckled sleepily.
      "Pumbaa, indeed! " Nala sent her tongue sweeping in a broad stroke across his face. She watched with amusement as his eyes shot open in surprise, relaxing as they focused on her.
      "Beloved, " he whispered, and pawed her softly. "What time is it?"
      "It's tree-tall."
      He let out with a tremendous yawn. "Tree-tall, huh? Gods, I must have been tired to sleep this late."
      She laughed prettily. "Oh, I'm sorry, " she said in mock contriteness. "Perhaps I shouldn't have kept you up so late."
      He grinned at her, but before he could reply, Isha bounded in the entrance, her eyes widened to the whites.
      "Forgive my intrusion, Incosi, but I can't find my son! Please help me! " Isha was nearly incoherent. "I let him go play with Uzuri's cubs' but they don't know where he went and he won't answer my calls! "
      "Calm down, Isha." Nala padded over. "Where did you see him last?"
      "I was lying in the grassy spot over by the north face. He went off to play with Togo and Kombi. I told him to stay near Uzuri but he didn't listen." She struck the ground with her paw. "I should never have let him go! "
      Uzuri trotted in, her cubs scampering along behind her to huddle at her feet. "I can't find him, Isha. I don't know where he went, but I found out why." She turned to glare at the two cubs, who shrank back miserably. "It seems Togo and Kombi were playing a little...rough." She patted Isha other lioness comfortingly. "Don't worry, hon, he's probably just sulking somewhere."
      "That's just it; he always comes when I call him, no matter what mood he's in. He's such a good boy..." Wailing, she buried her head against Uzuri's shoulder, her cries muffled against the fur.
      Simba looked at Nala worriedly. "Oh, boy. I'm gonna go ask Rafiki if he can help. Maybe he'll know where to look. In the meanwhile, get some search parties organized."
      She nodded, and led the other lionesses outside. Simba trotted hurriedly down the slope of the Rock to the ground below. Breaking into a run, he sprinted toward a nearby acacia, his feet kicking up small plumes of ash that settled slowly back to the charred ground. Nearing the tree, he shouted, “Rafiki! ”
      Reaching the base, he peered up through the denuded branches to see the mandrill blinking sleepily. "Rafiki? Are you awake?"
      "Indeed I am. And not from your bellowing, my friend; I don't think I got a wink of sleep all night." He eyed the branches of the tree reproachfully. "Too many spines; I don't know how civilized folk can stand to live in these." Casting his gaze down at Simba, Rafiki frowned. "What is all the commotion about?"
      “Habusu is lost. Can you do anything to help us? We have to find him quickly, before something else does."
      Rafiki shuddered at the thought. Wild Dogs come through from time to time. "Aiheu forbid. I will try." Gathering his staff, he clambered gingerly down to the ground. "Lead on, my friend. I'll hurry as fast as I'm able."
      Simba thought for a split second, then crouched down. "Wait, I'll carry you; we'll make better time that way."
      “I would not insult your dignity like that, ” Rafiki said, clearly nervous.
      Simba snorted in amusement. "You didn't seem so concerned with my dignity that night you whacked me on the head, old friend."
      The mandrill shuffled his feet, embarrassed. "That was different." Looking at the stretch of ground between himself and Pride Rock, he sighed resignedly. "Bend down.” He meandered over to the lion and hesitantly climbed onto Simba's broad shoulders. He clutched a lock of mane tightly in one fist as the King stood up.
      "Ouch! " Simba hissed. "Easy."
      Rafiki loosed his grip, but only lightly. He felt the weight underneath him shift powerfully as the lion broke into a lope. The mandrill watched breathlessly as the wind whipped through his hair. It was the fastest he’d ever travelled, and unable to help himself, he whooped aloud.
      Simba said, "I knew you'd like it."
      Rafiki laughed at him unsteadily. "Like it? I'm scared to death! "
      Khemoki, Incosi of the Zebra'ha, shook his head violently, trying to rid himself of the bothersome flies.
      Then he saw something that made him forget the flies. Simba headed toward him at a dead run, an old mandrill on his back making the most horrible screeching noise. “Oh my Lord! ” Khemoki cleared out of the way just in time.
      He headed to find his mare who was having a good roll in the dust, oblivious to the whole episode.
      “I say, Whinnyfred. I just saw the most extraordinary thing! Simba being ridden by that Rafiki chap! ”
      “What?”
      “I tell you, Whinny old girl, this neighborhood is going down. Down, I say, and I wouldn’t be surprised what mischief that old ape will work next. Not our sort, you know.”
      “Oh Khemoki, you haven’t been hitting the Throckberries, have you?”
      “Throckberries? Don’t be ridiculous. Bosh, I tell you. Besides, it’s too early in the day. Whinny, there’s something not quite right here. I think that ape is taking over.”
      “Him?”
      “And why not? He dabbles in the uncivilized arts, you know. I think we have a situation developing, and by jove I plan to keep a close eye on it. We don’t want to end up on the losing side.”
      Unaware of the commotion behind him, Rafiki glanced down to see the ground blurring by in a mix of greens and browns. Suddenly nauseous, he closed his eyes, feeling the enormous muscles underneath him rippling in regular rhythm. Abruptly, their pace changed, and he opened his eyes to see a shallow trench approaching fast. Simba gathered his muscles under himself and leapt. Rafiki watched in horror as the world rotated lazily in front of him, sky and earth exchanging places as he sailed over Simba's head to come to rest nose to nose with the lion, a lock of mane still clutched tightly in either hand.
      Simba jerked wildly. "Rafiki, what are you doing?! I can't see! "
      The mandrill looked into the amber eyes inches away from his own and moaned. “Mumsie was right, ” he thought. “I should have stayed at home with my brothers instead of becoming a shaman.”
      Simba flicked his head gracefully, sending the poor mandrill flying back over his head to plunk down solidly onto his back again. Rafiki seized hold even tighter, despite Simba's protests, and held on for dear life, muttering a prayer of thanks as he saw the foot of Pride Rock before them. Without slowing, Simba trotted up the slope to the promontory, finally stopping and allowing his passenger to dismount.
      Rafiki slid off his back and stumbled forward on his weakened legs. "Thank you, Simba. You honor me greatly."
      Simba shrugged. "Maybe we can do it again sometime.” He looked in the cave. “Isha?"
      The lioness trotted out of the cave, looking hopeful, but her face fell when she saw no sign of her cub.
      "Isha, my poor dear, " Rafiki said, hugging her neck. "Do not fret. We will find your child."
      Rafiki took his staff and scrying bowl, then sat cross-legged on the ground. The gourd on his staff was full of water, and he pulled the stopper, pouring its contents into the bowl.
      “Isha, do you have anything that he might have touched or played with in the past day or so? An old bone, perhaps?"
      "No, he doesn't play with toys very much; he likes to pounce and wrestle more than anything else."
      Rafiki frowned. "Hmm. That will make it more difficult; I don't think I'll be able to find him without something."
      Isha said, “How about some dead grass? I made him a soft place to sleep."
      He paused, stroking the flowing white hair which grew from his chin. "Yes. Yes indeed."
      She brought a small mouthful of dry grass, but he only took a few strands. She watched closely as he dropped the grass into the bowl, where it floated about in a small circle. Isha and Simba peered over his shoulder with interest as Rafiki made a short prayer asking the gods for guidance and protection. Bending over the bowl, Rafiki stirred it slightly with a finger, studying intently the patterns the ripples made as they bounced off the grass in the bowl and rebounded to the sides. Abruptly, he hunched over, mouth agape. “Makpelah the Circle. He lives.”
      Simba sighed with relief as Isha sank to the ground. "Aiheu be praised, " she whispered. "Where is he?"
      Rafiki scratched his head. "I don't know; the signs are so confused and mixed up. All my knowledge tells me that he's alive, yet... I see a skull also. Very strange."
      Isha's eyes widened in horror. "Oh, no."
      "The child Habusu lives yet, I tell you. The rest I don't know." He looked at the bowl, pondering. "Let me try again."
      He bent over the bowl, stirring the water gently. He leaned over it, his wizened face only inches from the water's surface. “This is interesting....”
      "Hey, your Majesty! " called a shrill voice. Startled, Rafiki jumped, sending the bowl and its contents flying. Simba looked down to see Shenzi at the foot of Pride Rock. "I would most HUMBLY request an audience with you."
      Simba walked to the edge of the promontory. "I am occupied just now. Send the Roh’mach to see me later. I will talk with him."
      Simba turned his back, intent on rejoining the others, when Shenzi called after him. “Ah, such a warm and caring king you are, to abandon one of your own out in the wilderness."
      He jerked his head around. "What??"
      "Our new Roh'mach speaks of cooperation and understanding, " she sneered. "And yet when we offer our services, you spurn us! "
      His eyes bored into hers. "What are you talking about?" he asked. "What services?"
      "Why, our help in finding your lost cub."
      Simba's jaw dropped in disbelief.
      Nala rushed up beside him, eyes burning with rage. "Who told you?? How did you know that??"
      Shenzi tittered. "Oh, I keep my ear to the ground, dearie. Word travels fast when the King's disturbed."
      “A little too fast, ” Nala retorted.
      "I didn't come here to be insulted, Your Majesty." Shenzi looked at Nala balefully. "We offered our help, and you responded with thinly veiled accusations." She sighed, pained. "I just hope the dear doesn't suffer to much when the wild dogs find him. They DO love to tear their prey to pieces while it's still alive."
      "Enough, ” Simba grated. "All right, Shenzi. In the spirit of cooperation, we would gratefully accept any help you offer."
      "Of course, in the spirit of cooperation, " she said, frowning. "I would HATE to think of what would happen to the poor dear if we WEREN’T on good terms with each other, wouldn't you?"
      Simba stood silently as he digested her words. To think that the life of their cub depended on the goodwill of that creature standing below... Simba closed his eyes as a shudder traveled slowly down his spine. Then he met her gaze directly.
      "Yes, " he said deliberately. "It would be a great tragedy...for both of us."
      Shenzi looked awfully smug in the face of his open threat. The life of the cub hung in the balance, and unlike Simba, she had nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

      Losara lay with her head upon her paws, watching Habusu and Bashak chase each other back and forth among the bones and rocks in the graveyard. The two were apparently blessed with an inexhaustible supply of energy, and Losara had already had to discourage them from the fun game of trying to see who could hang from her tail by their teeth the longest. Chuckling despite herself, she dodged as Bashak shot past at a dead run, yelling, "Nyah nyah, you can't catch me! "
      Habusu followed hot on his heels, but balked when he saw the hyena pup vanish into the dark recesses of an enormous skull. Peering warily into the interior, he saw nothing but darkness. He thought for a moment, then leaped upwards.
      Giggles resounded from inside the bleached elephant skull as Habusu clambered his way up the front of it, grinning. He made his way slowly along the chipped tusk, feet splayed and claws extended slightly to keep his balance. Nestling up to the face of the skull, he leaned his head towards it and pressed an ear up to the surface. "Come out, come out, wherever you are! "
      More giggles came forth from the interior. "No way! You have to come in and get me! "
      His grin widened. 'Gotcha, ' he thought. He peered upwards, gauging the distance. Crouching down, he leapt, his claws flicking out to latch onto the rim of an eye socket. With great effort, he hauled himself up. He had his forelegs braced and was preparing to pull himself in when a face loomed in front of him. Bashak grinned toothily, and yelled "BOO! "
      Startled, Habusu lost his grip and slid down the face of the skull to land in a heap of bone splinters. "Ow! "
      Bashak stopped laughing and peered down worriedly. "Hey, Habu, you okay?"
      The cub sat up and shook his head, examining a bloody scratch on his leg. "Yeah, I'm okay."
      Losara appeared from behind the back of the skull, an annoyed look on her face. "What in the world are you two doing now?" She saw Habusu shaking his injured leg and trotted over. "What did you do?"
      "I slipped and fell, that's all. It's just a scratch, see?" He showed her the injured limb proudly. "It doesn't hurt."
      She frowned down at him sternly. "You be careful, now."
      "Yes ma'am." Habusu breathed a silent sigh of relief as Losara returned to where she had been lying. He had been terribly afraid that she would make him go home. Home...
      He grimaced as he thought about his mother. He had gone off without telling her where he was going again. His bottom tingled with remembered pain as he thought about what had happened thattime. Hearing a rustling noise, he looked over to see Bashak emerging from the mouth of the skull.
      The hyena pup glanced at him, abashed. "Sorry; I didn't mean to scare you like that, man."
      "You didn't scare me! " Habusu said indignantly. "I just, uh, lost my balance."
      Bashak laughed at him. "With feet like that, I'm not surprised! "
      "Oh yeah? Well you don't have the best looking feet yourself." Suddenly, his eyes widened as he stared at Bashak's furry paws.
      The pup looked down. "What? What is it?"
      Habusu stared in horror at the shadow the pup cast straight down. It was almost highsun.
      "Oh, man, Mom's gonna KILL me, " he groaned. "I gotta get home."
      Bashak's face drooped. "Really?"
      "Yeah. I'll see you later, okay?"
      Habusu turned to leave, but bumped into the strong arm of a large male hyena blocking the path. "And just where do you think you’re going?" Skulk scowled down at the annoying little furball before him. Shenzi crept up beside him, grinning malevolently.
      Habusu cringed. "Uh, I was just heading home, sir. My mother's gonna be awful mad if I don't get home soon." He moved to circle around Skulk, but a paw slapped him brutally away. He went sliding across the dirt to crash into Bashak, sending both of them tumbling. Rasing a paw to his face in shock, Habusu started to cry.
      "SHUT UP! I'm tired of listening to your whiny little voice." Skulk glared at him, fangs bared as he turned to Kh'tel, one of his attending guards. "Mount watch on this little furball. Don't let him out of your sight. If he tries to run, stop him, but don't kill him...yet. If Shenzi's right, he may yet be of some use to us."
      The guard nodded energetically. "Boy, Shenzi's really smart, eh, Skulk?" He giggled insanely. "I bet she tells you ALL of her secrets, doesn't she?"
      Skulk merely stood silently and stared at him until his laughter died away to nervous silence. "I'll send some others to help you guard him. For now, keep an eye on him." He leaned towards the other hyena until their noses were only inches apart. "I will hold you personally responsible for anything that happens to him. Do you understand?"
      Kh'tel swallowed audibly. "Y-Yes, sir."
      Nodding, he looked back at Habusu and Bashak, who were both bawling at the top of their lungs. "Losara, " he growled, "make yourself useful and get those two brats to SHUT UP! " Skulk looked at Shenzi. "Everything's working according to plan."
 
SHENZI:He thinks he runs the clan, but he can’t run an errand
He has the looks, but doesn’t have a clue,
And even worse than that, we’ve nabbed a lion brat,
Uhuru never even knew!
 
 
SKULK:I think I see your point, his nature’s far too trusting
A ‘kick me’ sign is plastered on his back,
He doesn’t seem the sort we need to hold the fort,
It’s time we gave our friend the sack.
 
 
BOTH:He’s wishy-washy, golly-goshy, just a lion’s puppet,
An elevated, overrated fool;
The kind of lame excuse without a single use,
That simply isn’t fit to rule!
 
 
KH’TEL:What’s a puppet?
SKULK:It’s someone with wood for brains.
KH’TEL:This is treason!
SKULK:You bet your whiskers! Now where have I heard that line before?
 
 
SHENZI:It was a brilliant plan, forgive me if I chuckle,
But I enjoy a laugh at his expense;
If they want Junior back, Uhuru’s gonna pack,
It’s really making perfect sense!
 
 
SKULK:I want to see his face, the moment that you tell him,
I bet’cha that his eyes are gonna cross!
Uhuru’s gonna find, he’s really in a bind,
We’re gonna show him who’s the boss!
 
 
ALL 3:He’s wishy-washy, golly-goshy, just a lion’s puppet,
An elevated, overrated fool;
The kind of lame excuse without a single use,
That simply isn’t fit to rule!
 
      Wheeling about, Shenzi and Skulk stalked away.
      Losara glared after them as she trotted over to the children. "Shh, " she whispered, holding them to her with a paw. Habusu buried his face against her chest and continued to cry hoarsely. "I w-want my MOTHER! "
      "I know, hon. Shh, it'll be all right." She licked away his tears. "You're just going to spend the night with your auntie Losara, that's all."
      Bashak looked up at her, sniffling. "Mama, Skulk's not gonna hurt Habu, is he?"
      Losara kissed him gently on the forehead. "No, Bashak. He won't hurt your friend." She raised her head to stare after the departed hyena, her jaw firmly clenched. "Not as long as I’m alive."

      Sarafina paused to catch her breath, the lionesses behind her flopping to the ground gratefully. They had been searching for Habusu for hours, and it was now high-sun, when the fire shone fiercely down upon their overheated bodies, sapping them of their strength.
      "Fini, " called a voice faintly. Turning, Sarafina glanced behind her. "Yes?"
      Yolanda paused, panting heavily. "I don't think we're going to find him here, Sarafina. We're too close to THEM." She motioned to her right. The elephant graveyard lay just beyond, shimmering in the rising heat waves.
      "I don't think the little tike would wander in there, anyway. Besides, they can search this area much better than we; their more familiar with the territory."
      "I don't have any intention of letting them find Habu, no matter what that mealy-mouthed brute promised. If they did find him, what're the chances of them bringing him back?" She snorted in derision. "No, we'll keep our own counsel when it comes to trusting hyenas."
      Yolanda nodded tiredly. "You're right, it's just..." she trailed off, growling with frustration, lashing the ground with her tail angrily. "We've looked for hours. Where is he?! "
      Zazu fluttered overhead. “No word here, ladies. I’ve asked the vultures. They are ruthlessly honest, you know, and they say they have not--well, they saw nothing.”
      Ajenti groaned as she rose from her resting place. "Well, we'll not find out by sitting on our rumps."
      Sarafina nodded in agreement. She rose and moved out ahead of the other two again. Forming a triange, they covered the ground slowly, eyes scanning the area ahead while their heads swept back and forth, searching for any trace of scent.
      The sun began its slow inexorable slide westward. The hours passed slowly, their task made increasingly difficult by the shadows which stretched out before them, concealing small niches and crevices from their sight. They finally reached the outskirts of the graveyard as twilight was falling. The hyena guard posted at the perimeter hailed them roughly. "'Lo, there! Who comes?"
      "Lionesses from Pride Rock, sir." Sarafina hated having to address the bedraggled creature in front of her as such, but she dared not risk offending them now. "Have you any news of the missing cub?"
      He grinned uneasily. "No, dear lady, I'm afraid not. But have no fear, should we find him, you'll be the first to know."
      Yolanda's eyebrows drew together in sudden wariness. This guard was far too polite. Moving forward, she interrupted Sarafina's reply. "Thank you, sir. We appreciate the help." Butting Sarafina gently with her shoulder, she motioned them away into the shadowy dark until they were out of earshot.
      "What're you doing?" Sarafina raised an eyebrow.
      "That hyena stinks of helpfulness. I don't trust him. Let's look around a bit, shall we?" She moved off, paralleling the edge of the graveyard proper.
      Sarafina moved up alongside, Ajenti trailing. "Heh, " she chuckled softly. "And you were the one who wanted to let them look-" She stopped so abruptly that Ajenti plowed into the back of her.
      "Ouch! " Ajenti rubbed her bruised nose with a forepaw. "What the-"
      "Shh! " Sarafina bent, sniffing. Her eyes gleamed in the dim light as her head rose. "I've got his scent! "
      Yolanda jerked her head around. "What?"
      Without replying, Sarafina headed off toward the graveyard at a fast trot, her nose bent to the ground, almost touching. Ajenti and Yolanda exchanged a look, then hurried to catch up. They followed Sarafina up a rise, stopping when they reached a row of prickly acacia thorns.
      Sarafina flattened out onto the ground. Creeping forward, she rolled onto her side, squirming her way under one of the bushes while the others watched, astonished. She had perhaps half her body buried in the dense growth when she stopped. Her voice came drifting back faintly. "What in Aiehu's name..."
      Ajenti crept near her. "What is it?"
      Sarafina's voice came back, edged with rage. "Oh, they're very helpful. It seems they've managed to find Habusu already; they've just neglected to tell anyone. There's an elephant skull about ten lengths downslope from me. He's sitting in front of it."
      A growl rumbled in Yolanda's chest. "Let's go get him! "
      "No, that won't work. There's a group of hyenas surrounding him. Too many to fight. At least a war party, maybe more."
      Yolanda's eyes grew wide. "All that to guard one cub? What in Aiehu's name is going on?"
      Sarafina slowly wormed her way back out from under the bushes. Standing, she shook herself roughly, scattering the dirt ground into her pelt. "I don't know, but we'd better go and tell Simba."
      Ajenti shook her head rapidly. "We can't leave him! "
      "We'll do him no good if we get ourselves killed. Let's go. I want to be back at the Rock before high moon."

      The cool night breeze ruffled the fur of the lioness sitting at the point of Pride Rock. Isha sat quietly, staring unseeing at the beautiful panorama before her, all her thoughts turned inward.
      Feeling a touch at her shoulder, she glanced over to see Kako sitting next to her.
      "Anything?"
      Kako shook her head. "I'm sorry, Isha. Nobody's seen or smelled any sign of him."
      Isha nodded and returned to staring out across the dark surface of the ground which lay far below them. A series of small frustrated desires pulled at her heart. It was time for Habu's bath. She ached to hold him, to feel his warm presence near her. She agonized over the thoughts that he may be afraid, that he may be lonely, wounded or hungry. That he may be cold. That he might be calling her name. That he may be begging some enemy for mercy. That he might even be dead, or even worse dying in great pain. Her jaw trembled slightly and a single tear rolled glistening down her cheek, matting the fur. Another followed behind it, dropping free to splash against the cold stone under her feet. "Oh God, Kako, he can't die, he just can't. He's the only cub I have left. I can't lose him! "
      “Isha, we have to talk.”
      “I don’t know if I can right now.”
      “Isha, for God’s sake, I have to know. You made it with my son, didn’t you. That’s his son out there, isn’t it.”
      “Yes and yes, ” Isha snapped.
      “He was only a cub. You took advantage of him.”
      “He begged me, ” Isha said, turning to stare straight into her eyes. “Begged me, Kako. He was on fire.”
      “How can you sit there and say that?”
      “He’s always wanted me. Taka sent him out there to starve. Baba knew it too.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “Poor little Baba. He didn’t want to die, but the one thing he regretted not doing was being alone with me. He wanted me as no lion ever wanted me, and I gave him what he desired.”
      “Out of pity?”
      “Pity? No, not just pity.” She reached up with her paw and stroked Kako’s cheek. “I love him. I thought I would yield out of pity, and it started that way. But your son was a lion, not a cub. When we made love....” Isha’s eyes filled with tears. “The things he said to me. How I long to hear them again. I’d give anything if he’d come back to me.” She sighed. “His son is out there. Your grandson. You neglected him. He doesn’t even know who you are. It may be too late to ever tell Habu you love him.”
      “I know, and I grieve for him and for you. But oh gods, did it have to be such a tawdry affair?”
      “He’s my husband, ” Isha said firmly. “I’ve remained faithful to him. I will till the day I die.”
      “Why didn’t you tell me?”