SCENE:  THAT ILLUSIVE SCENT


	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 triangle, 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."


SCENE:  MAKING DEMANDS


	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?"
	"Why didn't you ask me?"
	Kako sighed deeply.  "Did he understand what he was doing?"
	"I did have three cubs you know."
	"That's not what I meant."
	"You mean did he really love me?  Yes.  Do I really love 
him?  Yes.  Would we do it again?  Yes, as the gods are my 
witness.  I want to spend my life making him happy, tending his 
wounds, catching his prey, raising his cubs.  Oh gods, what I 
wouldn't give to have him here right now.  My husband is gone, two 
of my cubs are dead, my third is lost, and now the lioness I 
thought was my best friend has turned against me."
	"No, Isha.  That's not so."  She leans on Isha and purrs, 
nuzzling her.  "You're like a very dear sister.  I'm just having 
trouble thinking of you as a daughter."  She nuzzles her again.  
"I'll try.  Really I will.  I just need a little time."
	Simba hurried up to where Isha and Kako sat. "I just spotted 
Sarafina's group heading in.  They're the only ones who haven't 
reported in yet; maybe they'll have some good news."
	The three fidgeted uncomfortably as they waited for Sarafina 
and her companions to ascend the path to the promontory.  
Breasting the top, Sarafina padded over tiredly.  She knelt in 
front of Simba, her muscles trembling with fatigue.  "Incosi aka 
Incosi," she panted.  "I touch your mane."
	"I feel it," he replied.  "Rest a minute, Fini.  The report 
can wait."
	She shook her head rapidly. "No time, Sire.  We found Habu."  
Sarafina stood, panting mutely as the others gaped in surprise.  
"Where is he?" Isha finally managed.  She scanned the group 
rapidly.  "Oh God, tell me he's not dead."
	Nala looked at the miserable expression on her mother's face 
and turned cold.  No, she thought.  Oh, please, no.
	Sarafina finally spoke.  "He is alive, Isha."  The lioness 
started to smile, but it faded quickly as Sarafina continued. 
"Aiheu forgive me for saying so, but it might be better for him if 
he had died.  The hyenas have him."
	Isha's eyes widened in horror as Simba stepped forward.  
"What?!" He looked at Yolanda, then Ajenti.  They both nodded 
slowly.
	"We were searching near the graveyard, and I picked up a 
faint scent trail of his.  It led directly to the acacia thorns on 
the off-side-"
	"I know that place," he said, nodding. "How'd you get in?"
	"Well, I crawled under, just partway, until I could see into 
the  graveyard.  I saw him clearly, Sire."
	"What else did you see?"
	Sarafina closed her eyes, thinking hard. "There was a large 
group of the hyenas around him in a kind of ring, like they were 
guarding him, or...."
	"....or making sure he didn't escape," Nala growled angrily.  
"I KNEW that lying cur was going to do something like this.  
Shenzi and Uhuru are not that different after all."  She glanced 
over at Simba, expecting him to nod in agreement.
	Instead, Simba sat silently, staring at the ground for a 
moment.  Rising slowly, he paced over to the tip of the promontory 
and raised his head to look at the stars shining brightly 
overhead.  His face crumpled suddenly, whiskers drooping. His jaw 
quivered as he looked up at the stars.  "I thought I could trust 
him.  He told Rafiki he believed in our God.  Why doesn't Aiheu 
strike him dead??"
	Simba's grief was deep and awful.  For a minute or more he 
sat silently, his face pointed into the stars.  Then he sighed.  
"Uhuru risked his life to help me.  God help me, I'll have to give 
him the benefit of the doubt.  If he proves false, then God help 
him!"  Simba walked over to Isha and nuzzled her.  "It's time we 
showed our hyena friends who is in charge here," he said, his 
voice rumbling low in his throat.  He looked up into the sky 
again, drew in a deep breath, and roared.  He roared loud enough 
that everyone in the earth and in the skies above or the caves 
below could tell a lion was angry.  He was joined by the others in 
the pride, and as the sound grew it took on an otherworldly 
quality that would strike fear into the heart of a stone.
	"Come, Isha. Let's go get your son."
	As they prepared to leave, Simba glanced up at the starry 
sky.  He uttered a silent prayer to Aiheu, asking Him to watch 
over them in the upcoming fight.
	Some distance away, a young hyena looked up to the sky, and 
prayed also, but for a less noble reason.
	"Roh'kash, please bring the dawn soon!  I hate guard duty!"  
Grumbling, Griz'nk paced slowly back and forth, fighting to stay 
awake.  Somehow, it always seemed like he ended up with the night 
patrol. Bad enough that he got stuck with guard duty to begin 
with, but the night patrol?  Skulk had it in for him, he decided.  
Ever since the hyena had pandered his way into Shenzi's good 
graces, he acted as though he was in charge of everything.
	"Gimme five minutes with him and I'll show him who's boss-" 
he broke off and stopped his pacing as his jaws opened in a bone-
cracking yawn.  Glancing around furtively to see if anyone was 
near, he paced over to a jutting column of stone and lay down.  
	"I'll just rest a minute," he thought.  "A good guard can't 
keep alert unless he's well rested.  Why, he would be derelict in 
his duty if he didn't stay fully awake."
	His eyes snapped open.  Blinking rapidly, he stood up and 
shook himself.  Looking around, he cringed as he saw a faint glow 
had formed in the east, illuminating the early morning mist which 
swirled about him gently.  Seeing no one, he sighed gratefully; 
his nap had apparently gone unnoticed.  Turning, he padded over to 
the entrance to the graveyard, intending to call for his relief, 
when he heard a faint sound behind him.
	His head snapped around to stare into the swirling mist.  
Pricking his ears up, he strained to catch any sound at all.  
Suddenly, the hair rose on his neck as he caught a tenebrous 
rustling.  His eyes darted frantically, trying to catch a glimpse 
of something, but grayish white blankness, broken only by the 
faint outline of rocks, was all he could see.  He took a tentative 
step forward, intending to investigate, when he heard a loud SNAP! 
from somewhere to his right. 
	He froze, ears laid back in fear, waiting for something to 
appear, but total silence now reigned.  Time slowed to a crawl as 
he held his ground, frantic for his relief to appear, but afraid 
to turn his back to the open air.  The mist began to lighten as 
the sun rose, its warm rays beginning to burn away the moist air.  
Sighing with relief, he chuckled at himself.
	"I'm glad Skulk didn't see me," he chortled.  "Shaking like 
a pup afraid of the dark."  There was another sound, and he 
glanced around nervously.
	A pair of glittering eyes floated towards him out of the 
mist, their pupils burning red as hellfire in the morning light.  
They were joined by another, then another...he wailed as he saw he 
was surrounded by them, the eyes closing rapidly to reveal the dim 
sihoulettes of lions, too many to count, their stocky bodies 
moving silently through the dewy grass.
	The form nearest him resolved into a lioness which bared her 
teeth at him and snarled.  "Greetings, friend," she said.  Her 
hindquarters bunched as she prepared to spring.
	"Ga-ghu-gah-greetings," he stammered.  "Hunting so late?  
You know, I once heard that hyenas are not part of your diet.  
Good thing you know.  You never know what we've been eating.  
Nasty stuff, really.  Dead for days sometimes, you know.  
Sometimes, you know, the heat makes the bodies swell, but beggers 
can't be choosers."  He looked at the hard eyes staring at him.  
"Oh my God, I'm going to die!"  Griz'nik suddenly found his voice.  
"HELP!" he screamed, legs scrabbling in the dirt as he turned to 
run.  An immense weight bore him to the ground, sending the air 
whuffing out of him as he impacted.  He felt claws digging 
painfully into his shoulders and back as he struggled for air.  A 
voice suddenly spoke in his ear.
	"Shut up and sit still, or you'll be fodder for the 
buzzards," Uzuri whispered savagely.  Turning her head, she nodded 
to Simba.  "Sire, I've got him.  Bring the others in."
	Simba nodded back and signaled with a low grunt which 
carried clearly through the fog.  The lionesses streamed past him, 
eager to join battle with their foes.  A sudden chorus of yelps 
and snarls resounded through the thinning mist as they overcame 
the hyenas just inside the graveyard.  Abruptly an eerie howling 
arose as someone raised the alarm.
	With surprise lost, Simba forewent silence and let loose 
with an earsplitting roar that shook Griz'nik's bones.  The hyena 
cowered as the king loomed over him, his eyebrows beetled together 
in anger.
	"Where is the cub Habusu?" Simba snarled.  "Tell me and you 
will be shown mercy."
	Griz'nik gaped senselessly.  "Sire?"  he sputtered.  "All 
they told me is to watch for strangers.  They don't tell me why.  
Please let me go.  If they find out I failed, they'll kill me.  I 
just want to run away.  Give me a chance, please?"
	"Let him go," Simba said.  Turning, he padded into the 
graveyard proper.  The mist was burning off quickly as the sun 
began to make its prescence felt, but steam and vapors concealed 
the shadows as he made his way among the bones.  A shape hove into 
view as Uhuru emerged from his cave, yawning.
	"Sire!" he said, surprised.  "What an honor."  The Incosi 
cocked his head curiously as he looked at Simba's grim visage.  
"No news on your missing child, I'm afraid." 
	With a snarl, Simba bounded up to him nose to nose and bared 
his teeth.  "What in God's name do you think you're doing with our 
cub?  Did you think we wouldn't find out??"
	Uhuru shook as he stared at the massive fangs that were only 
inches away from his face.  "S-Sire?  I don't understand-"
	Isha padded up to join them.  "Liar!  Where is my child?  
What have you done with him??"  She scanned the area frantically.  
"Habu?  Habu, it's Mom!  Oh gods, answer me!"  Her voice echoed, 
mocking her.  She turned back to Uhuru, her ears laid flat in 
anger.  "What have you done with him?"
	Overhead, on  a jutting lip of rock, Shenzi sat quietly, her 
sides heaving with barely suppressed laughter.  "Oh MY," she 
thought, "This is too good!  Uhuru looks like a whipped pup!"  She 
bit her lip to keep from giggling her head off.  After a few 
minutes, she regained some semblance of control and returned her  
attention to the scene below.
	Uhuru huddled in the alcove where Simba and Isha had backed 
him.  "Sire, please!  I don't understand!  It's not my fault!  I 
helped you once, risked my life for you!"
	Simba started to speak, but Isha cut him off.  "It's obvious 
you don't understand," she hissed.  "Let me spell it out clearly.  
If my son is not brought before me immediately, I'll rip you and 
leave the meat for the jackals."
	Uhuru bared his teeth at her, growling.  "Fine, then.  Rip 
me.  Aiheu will avenge my innocent blood."
	Isha raised a forepaw, but a voice stopped her.  "Now, now, 
my dear; such conduct is not very ladylike."  Rafiki tapped her 
extended claws with his staff.  "Put those away before you hurt 
somebody."
	"That WAS the idea," she snapped back.  "He won't even admit 
his guilt, Rafiki.  Can you believe it?"
	He raised an eyebrow.  "Is it possible that he has no 
guilt?"  The mandrill turned to Uhuru.  "Peace, my friend.  The 
truth will out."
	Uhuru said, "Forgive me Sire, but if the child was here, I'd 
at least show him to you.  That way, I'd have a tangible threat; I 
can't hurt something I don't have."
	Sarafina stepped forward.  "Oh, really," she grated.  "Then 
what was that lion cub doing in the north esacarpment of the 
graveyard last night?  Don't deny it; I saw him myself, ringed 
about by at least a dozen guards."
	Uhuru was aghast.  "Oh gods!"  He trailed off for a moment, 
his brow furrowed in thought.  Abruptly his whole form slumped, 
and he looked at the ground for a long moment.  "Sire, I was not 
ready to be Roh'mach.  You chose me out of gratitude, but that 
cannot make me a great leader."  Lifting his gaze, he looked up to 
the ledge where Shenzi sat in the shadows.  "I know how it may 
have happened.  But should any harm befall the child of Isha while 
he is in my care, I will take full responsibility.  I offer my 
life in exchange."
	"I want to believe you," Simba said.  "I really do."
	"What do you have that I want?  Why would I kidnap one of 
your children?  I'm already Roh'mach.  I might understand a 
jealous rival trying to undermine me."  He glared at Shenzi.  "By 
the gods, I'll help you tear them apart when I catch them."
	Simba nuzzled Uhuru.  "Forgive me."  Then he glared up at 
Shenzi.  "Are you responsible for this?"
	"And what if I am, cubby?  What are you going to do about 
it?"  Her voice was full of contempt.  "Touch me and your little 
babykins is going to be tonight's dinner."
	Isha took a sharp breath as Simba strode forward angrily.  
"What do you want?"
	Shenzi laughed.  "Are you that dense?  I want that pathetic 
excuse for a Roh'mach replaced.  We need someone more qualified."
	"That someone wouldn't happen to be you, would it?"  Simba 
rumbled.
	Her eyes widened in mock surprise.  "Why, dearie, I thought 
you'd never ask.  I'd be delighted to volunteer."
	"I'm sure you would," he shot back.  Simba roared loudly 
enough to shake the bones on the ground.  "I will not be dictated 
to by anyone, especially you.  You helped Scar kill my father, and 
by God I either get Habusu back or I'll rip you."
	"So she helped kill Mufasa too?"  Uhuru confronted Shenzi.  
"Let's end this here and now.  I call on the gods to witness our 
Shih'kal.  I challenge you to the death."
	Deathly silence fell as Shenzi stared at Uhuru, openmouthed.  
"What?  You can't do this!"
	Azuba stepped forward.  "But he has," she said coldly.  
"Accept the challenge, or forefit your claim as Roh'mach."
	Shenzi looked around at the other hyenas.  The challenge had 
been witnessed, and she faced only two paths.  "Very well.  I 
accept the challenge."  She spat at Uhuru's feet.  "Fool.  You 
would have lost your title.  Now you lose your life."
	"Really?"  His eyes bored into hers intently.  "We shall 
see."


SCENE:  TO THE DEATH


	Shenzi began circling Uhuru slowly, sizing him up.  The male 
was not as well built as Skulk, but his quickness and agility were 
well known.  One of the reasons Taka had chosen him to guard 
Rafiki was his ability to quickly think his way out of any 
situations that might have arisen; Shenzi faced an opponent who 
matched her own intelligence, and that made him doubly dangerous. 
	Uhuru sat quietly, keeping a wary eye on the bigger female.  
He was trying not to show it, but deep down he was terribly 
frightened of this hyena; she had already shown in the past what 
she was capable of.  Fighting to remember all his mother had 
taught him about combat, he kept his head low to the ground, 
trying to give her the smallest target possible.
	She suddenly floated toward him, jaws agape as a snarl 
ripped the air.  Twisting desperately, he flung himself out of the 
way, sending her crashing to the ground.  Befor he could react, 
however, she was up and away, out of reach.
	"Oooh, quick little one, aren't we?"  She leered at him, 
panting.  "How long can you keep dodging before my teeth find your 
throa-" Her sentence ended in a shriek as he darted forward.  She 
copied his move, spinning out of harm's way, coming to rest with 
her legs braced for action.
	Uhuru returned her smile.  "You'll find I'm full of 
surprises."  He charged again, his jaws closing on her shoulder, 
tearing away a chunk of flesh and hair.  Gnashing her teeth in 
pain, Shenzi drove forward with her hind legs, using her greater 
weight to bear him to the ground.  He writhed like a snake under 
her, wriggling away from her snapping jaws and escaping her grasp 
to stand before her again.
	He began circling her now, his face grim in the dim light.  
She staggered in a circle, feeling the blood running down her 
foreleg, her  shoulder ablaze.
	Skulk cursed inwardly as he saw her face.  She had gone in  
overconfident, sure that her superior size would intimidate Uhuru, 
but it had backfired, and she was now paying the price; the fear 
on her face indicated that it would only be a matter of time 
before she went down under his onslaught.  The rules of Shi'khal 
were strict, however; there was nothing Skulk could do to 
interfere.  Glancing over, he saw the lions watching the fight, 
utterly absorbed in the combat taking place before them.  His eyes 
fell upon Isha, and a grin spread across his angular face.
	There might just be a way to solve this problem after all, 
he thought.  He glanced around furtively, and seeing everyone's 
attention fixed on the fight, he melted into the shadows and 
disappeared, heading off towards the elephant graveyard as fast as 
his legs would carry him.
	Though his departure had been flawless, his arrivial did not 
go unnoticed. Scrambling down from atop the skull where he had 
been sitting, Bashak sped across the open area where the clan held 
its meetings to where Losara sat.  "Mama," he said breathlessly, 
"he's comin'!"
	She nodded, a disgusted look on her face.  "I expected as 
much.  You remember what to do?"
	He nodded eagerly.  "Uh-huh."
	"All right, then let's get moving."  The pup shot away 
towards the far end of the graveyard as fast as his legs would 
carry him.  Losara turned and trotted over to the entrance, where 
she sat down, waiting.
	Skulk's form slowly emerged from the dark.  "Greetings, 
Losara."
	She nodded.  "Skulk?  Why are you not with Shenzi?"
	"Things are not proceeding as planned.  I'm here to rectify 
the situation."  Brushing past her, he headed towards the skull 
which sat in the distance.  "Our great and glorious Roh'mach 
challenged Shenzi to the Shi'Khal, which she immediately has 
proceeded to lose."  He looked at her sidewise.  "I plan to give 
the lions a little incentive to solve our problem.  Uhuru pledged 
his life with the cub's.  Let's hold him to that promise."
	She trotted past him, cutting him off.  "What are you 
doing?"
	"I'm going to plant his little carcass right in front of our 
glorious Roh'mach.  Then I can sit back and watch the fun begin."  
His eyes narrowed as he saw her cut in front of him again.  "You'd 
be well advised not to get in my way again, wench," he said, his 
lip curling back to reveal his fangs.
	"Idiot!  You don't have to worry about that anymore."  She 
sneered at him.  "Your foolish choice of guards has already been 
his undoing."  Her face pinched in sorrow.  "Gods, can't you hear 
it?"
	He stared at her, puzzled, and cocked an ear.  Faintly, he 
heard a distant wailing coming from the northern escarpment where 
the lion cub had been incarcerated.  Eyes widening in realization, 
he looked at her in shock.  "NO!"
	Tears sprang to her eyes.  "I tried to stop him, but he was 
too strong."  She was abruptly knocked aside as Skulk took off, 
heading toward the distant skull.  Picking herself up, she laughed 
softly.  "Idiot."  Shaking herself, she padded off after him.
	Griz'nik stood stoically at the mouth of the skull, trying 
desperately to ignore the horrible sounds coming from within.
	"Almighty Roh'kash!" he muttered, "why does stuff like this 
always happen when I'm on duty?"  He gritted his teeth as a 
drilling shriek issued from inside the dank recesses of the skull 
where the cub was imprisioned.  Kh'tel had ordered him and the 
other guards to stay outside while he went in there to 
"interrogate" the prisoner.  Judging from the sounds the cub was 
making, Griz'nik doubted if Kh'tel was in there making polite 
conversation.  He felt a muffled impact thorough the bone at his 
back, punctuated by an abrupt CRACK.  A horrible scream resounded 
from inside.  The guards looked at him, their eyes wide.
	Griz'nik winced and shook his head in sympathy.  "Gods, 
that's gotta HURT."
	Skulk ran like one posesssed, the cries of the cub filling 
his ears, lending a desperate urgency to his straining muscles.  
As he neared the escarpment, he saw the other guards ringed around 
the skull, various looks of disgust and glee on their faces.  
Abruptly, the cries from within the skull ceased, and Kh'tel 
emerged from the mouth of it, licking his lips in obvious 
enjoyment.
	Skulk bounded up and confronted him immediately.  "What the 
devil are you DOING?!"  he screamed.
	Kh'tel shrank back, frightened.  "Calm down, Skulk.  Our 
little guest decided to get antsy, here, so I had to take care of 
him."  He frowned deeply.  "I tell you, though, lions are almighty 
tough to stomach."  He abruptly held forth with a tooth-rattling 
belch.
	Skulk stuck is head into the mouth of the skull.  Peering 
about, he made out vague bloodstains on the inside walls.  Casting 
his gaze down, he saw a small tuft of golden fur, ruffling gently 
from his breath.  Emerging slowly, he glared balefully at his 
companion.  The corners of Skulk's jaw clenched tightly as he 
fought to repress a shriek.  "Do you have any idea what you've 
done?"
	Kh'tel stared at him blankly.  "What's wrong with you?  
Don't tell me you liked the little furball?!"
	"No, imbecile!  But at least with a body I could have proved 
he was dead!  I could have solved all our problems with one 
stroke.  Now I've got to figure out how to make them think he's 
dead!"  Skulk sat seething for a minute, then brightened.  "It's a 
long shot, but it just might fool them."  Ducking his head into 
the skull, he snatched up the small bit of lion fur lying on the 
ground.  Emerging, he shouldered past Kh'tel roughly as he stalked 
away, grumbling, but stopped abruptly and looked back.  "Hold it," 
he said, peering at Kh'tel intently.  "You finished him off 
awfully quick."
	The corner of Kh'tel's mouth twitched slightly.  "Well, uh, 
he was kinda small-"
	Skulk shook his head in disgust.  "You greedy slob."  A 
peevish note crept into his voice.  "Couldn't you have saved some 
for me?"
	Kh'tel grinned shame-facedly.  "Sorry."
	Skulk stared at him a moment longer, then trotted away 
quickly.
	Kh'tel held the grin until the sounds of his footsteps had 
faded away into the night.  Rounding on the remaining guards, he 
bared his teeth viciously.  "Well, what are you laughing at?  
Dismissed!  Go on, get lost!"
	Grumbling, the others slowly dispersed.  He watched them 
carefully until the last form had vanished into the dark.  
Creeping over to a secluded alcove, he sat quietly, listening.  
Several long moments passed.  Satisfied, Kh'tel whooped a sigh of 
relief and turned around.  "C'mon out, kids."
	Habusu's head emerged from an eye socket above him.  "Did it 
work?"
	"Yeah, kid.  Now come on down here, quick."  As the cub 
clambered down the face of the skull, Habusu giggled softly.  "I 
can't believe he fell for it!"
	A dark shadow detached itself and trotted over.  Losara 
nuzzled the cub gently.  "Rho'kash bless you for what you have 
done tonight, Kh'tel.  For now, however, we have no time to 
celebrate.  Bashak!  Come on!"
	The pup skittered out from behind a concealing rock.  "Where 
are we goin' Mama?"
	"We're going to take Habu home, my son," she said, grinning.  
"I'm afraid it's way past his bedtime."
	Shenzi's breathing had begun to come in great ragged gasps 
of air.  She shook her head, fighting to clear her vision as she 
staggered about, bleeding from half a dozen wounds.  Across from 
her, Uhuru panted rapidly, a nasty gash on his ribs giving 
evidence of  Shenzi's prowess in the prolonged battle.  But his 
confidence showed clearly now; the other hyenas merely waited for 
the combat to draw to its inevitable conclusion.  Outside the 
circle, the jackals had begun to gather, smacking their lips in 
preparation for the feast which would follow, for neither lion nor 
hyena will eat the dead bodies of Roh'kash's Chosen Ones; they are 
corban to all but the lowliest of scavengers.
	Shenzi caught Uhuru's eye and gave a silent snarl of 
defiance; she did not intend to sell her life easily.  She slowly 
gathered her strength, preparing for a final spring.  It would 
leave her wide open for attack, but she would get at least one 
clear shot at his throat before she went down.
	Uhuru's paw struck her high on the face, sending her 
sprawling.  A paw slapped down on either shoulder, pinning her 
neatly to the ground.   She saw the starlight gleaming off his 
fangs as he prepared to tear out her throat.  Closing her eyes, 
she prayed it would be quick.
	Skulk shook his head in despair as he rejoined the circle of 
his bretheren.  "I am saddened by the heavy burden of the news I 
bring, but it is my duty to inform you, Roh'mach."
	Uhuru cocked an ear toward him, but kept his gaze locked on 
Shenzi, wary of a trick.  "Speak up, Skulk, and be quick.  What do 
you want?"
	Skulk strode forward and spat a mouthful of golden fur into 
the circle before the two combatants.  "There is all that remains 
of the lion cub.  One of Shenzi's traitorous guards decided to 
have him for a snack."
	Complete silence fell, broken only by the sound of Isha's 
sobbing.  Uhuru looked at the fur disbelievingly.  "You mean..."
	Skulk nodded sadly.  "I'm afraid so."  He staightened and 
cleared his throat.  "I'm afraid that once the combat is complete, 
you will have to be executed, milord.  You did swear your life 
with that of the cub's, and I will not wrong our mighty king with 
lies such as Shenzi has spoken."
	Shenzi glared at him in shock, a smile spreading slowly 
across her lips.  You sneaky little cur, she thought. I didn't 
know you had it in you.  She shook her head.  If only I'd known 
earlier.... 
	Sudden movement caught her eye as a tawny shape padded past 
a gap in the circle.  "Hey, Shenzi!"
	"Shut up, Habu," she snarled.  Freezing, she did a double 
take.  "Habu?!!"
	Skulk gaped at the little form.  "What?  But he-, I mean, 
you..?"  His eyes flared with rage as he stepped forward, 
growling.  "No matter.  I'll deal with you myself!"
	"STOP!"
	All movement ceased as Isha bludgeoned her way through the 
circle to stand next to them.  Interposing herself between Uhuru 
and Shenzi, Isha gently but firmly separated them.
	"My son has been rescued, Uhuru. There is no need to finish 
her."  She turned to Losara and Kh'tel, who stood protectively 
over the cub.  Uhuru stared for a moment, disbelieving.
	"Outrage!" one of the crowd yelled.  They turned to look as 
one of the hyena priests stepped forward.  "You cannot interfere 
with the Shih'kal!"
	The hyenas moved to close in, but they had barely gotten one 
paw forward before a familiar shape dropped into the circle.
	"Wait just a minute, friends." Rafiki brandished his staff, 
warning the hyenas away. "The Shih'kal is indeed inviolable; no 
one may interfere.  One way or another Shenzi must die."
	Isha felt the blood drain from her face.
	"But," he continued musingly, chin cupped in hand, "If 
Shenzi concedes defeat, Uhuru gets to pick the method of Shenzi's 
death, does he not?"
	"He does," the hyena priest said.
	"And if it were something slow, like being sealed alive in a 
cave, would that do?"
	"Indeed it would," the priest said with barely concealed 
enthusiasm.
	"In that case, may I suggest a method that would be very 
slow and utterly inescapable?"
	"By all means."
	Rafiki went through the crowd and stood next to Uhuru.  The 
male still had Shenzi pinned trembling on the ground.  "I have a 
suggestion.  Are you open to it?"
	Uhuru looked up at Rafiki, ready to object till he caught 
the slight wink.  "As you say, shaman, it shall be done."
	Fabana came and fell at Rafiki's feet.  "Mercy!  Mercy!  Do 
not torment my daughter.  Let me die in her stead."
	"I thought you renounced me," Shenzi hoarsely whispered.  
"I'm sorry I renounced you.  Let me die your daughter."
	"You will live.  I will die your mother."
	"As you wish it, Fabana," Rafiki said.  "In Shenzi's stead, 
Fabana is to die slowly-of old age."  The mandrill chuckled 
heartily.  "I have chosen the instrument of death.  Do you concur, 
Roh'mach?"
	"Indeed," Uhuru said, beaming.  "You are wise beyond 
measure."  Uhuru looked down at the quaking hyena.  "I will send 
you away with the same blessing you gave Simba.  Get out of here, 
far away.  If you ever come back, I'll kill you.  And this time, 
it won't be of old age.  And take Skulk with you.  You are both 
corban."
	Shenzi staggered to her feet, swaying unsteadily.  She 
looked at Uhuru for a long moment, then turned and headed away.  
Banzai and Ed came foward, supporting her gently on either side.
	"Don't worry, sis," Banzai whispered as gently as his gruff 
voice would allow.  "We'll come with you.  We ain't turnin' our 
back on family."
	Fabana looked after them, then turned and smiled at Simba 
sadly.  "God go with you.  I touch your mane."
	"I feel it."
	She trotted off slowly to join them.  Abruptly, one of the 
remaining hyenas broke away and ran to join them.  Two more 
followed, and then another two. 
	They hurried over to Shenzi's group, spreading out to form a 
protective phalanx.
	A weak smile slowly crept acorss Shenzi's features as she 
surveyed the growing party.  Turning to Skulk, she chuckled.  "On 
the other hand we may be able to salvage something from this after 
all."  She lowered her voice.  "Listen up.  I want you to...."
	His cold eyes locked with hers.  "Shut up."
	The group froze, their startled gaze turning to him as he 
shook his head.  "Just shut up and keep walking.  I've had it with 
your schemes.  From now on, I'm going to handle our dealings with 
outsiders."  He glanced furtively over his shoulder.  "In case you 
didn't notice, most of our bretheren have sided with the King.  
The Roh'mach has graciously allowed us to leave."  His voice 
curdled with contempt at the mention of Uhuru.  "We still have our 
lives.  Or would you rather go back and have the little weasel 
finish the job?"  He looked at her intently.  "I can arrange that 
if you'd like."
	Banzai strode forward angrily.  "Hey, you can't do this!"
	Skulk stared at him.  "I just did," he said softly.  "Now be 
silent."  He returned his gaze to Shenzi who looked back at him 
with an incongruous smile on her face.  "Well, I'm waiting."
	Limping forward, she rubbed his cheek against his softly.  
"Ah, Skulk, I love it when you talk dirty to me."
	Leaning on his shoulder, she moved off with him, her 
companions following behind as they paced slowly away from the 
baobab, calling softly to each other in their own tongue until 
they were swallowed up by the darkness.
	Uhuru watched them go quietly, uttering a small prayer of 
thanks.  For a moment he had feared there might be civil war.  He 
fought away his fatigue and turned to the jackals who still sat 
near, hoping to take advantage of the situation.
	"Is there something I can help you with?"
	The jackals looked at him sourly, realizing that there would 
be no chow tonight.  Reluctantly, they turned and left.
	Isha groomed her son gently, tears of happiness streaming 
down her face as he babbled on about his adventures.  "Mom! You 
should'a been there.  Bashak and I played in the biggest skull in 
the world, and we made Skulk look stupid in front of everybody, 
and..."  Raising her head, Isha looked over at Losara.
	The hyena was nuzzling her cub playfully, talking softly to 
him and laughing at his little antics.  She glanced up and caught 
Isha's gaze.  Lioness and hyena looked at each other for a long 
moment.  Slowly, a small smile crept to Isha's face.  She bent to 
Habusu's ear: "Habu, if I ever catch you running off to play with 
that hyena again..."
	He looked at her, ears laid back in contriteness.  "Yes, 
ma'am?"
	She looked at him and grinned.  "...you'd better tell me 
where you're going, okay?"
	Habusu's smile filled her with such a warmth that she felt 
like weeping.  "Yeah!  No problem."
	Simba came forward and Uhuru fell before him.  "I touch your 
mane."
	"I feel it."  He purred deeply.  "There can only be true 
peace where there is justice.  I say this before the gods and the 
great kings of the past: the ban which great Ahadi placed on 
scavenging in the Pride Lands is over and done.  There is no 
reason why you cannot live as Aiheu intended."
	Many hyenas flocked to Simba, falling to the ground and 
humbling themselves.  "Ebu Simba, Roh'mach aka Roh'mach!"


SCENE:  FAR AWAY FROM THE REST


	Six months had passed since the rescue of Habusu from Shenzi 
and Skulk, though it did not seem so long to most lions.
	Still, in that time the miracle of new life had come and 
left changes in the Pride Lands.  The grass was green, the trees 
were full, and the savanna was grazed by herds once again.  Even 
Khemoki deigned to grace the Pride Lands with his Zebra'ha.
	Misha, one of the new children, was sitting on a high rock 
outside her mother's cave.  It was one of her favorite spots 
because she could see far in all directions.
	Her mother Ajenti asked, "What are you looking for so 
intently?"
	"Grandmother is coming.  It's time for our walk."
	"Come in, Misha.  She's not feeling up to it today.  I'm 
sorry."
	"But she promised.  She was sick yesterday and the day 
before."
	"If you love her, let her break the promise.  That's what 
happens to you when you get to be her age," her mother Ajenti 
explained.
	"Will I be like that someday?"
	"Yes, but it will be a long, long time."
	Misha sulked.  She had grown to love those walks to the 
water hole with Yolanda in the early morning hours.  Her 
grandmother was an encyclopedia of great stories of the old kings, 
of the gods, and even the latest gossip.  And while they were 
supposed to take these walks for their exercise, Yolanda would 
always end up seeing something that brought back a memory, and the 
walk would become a talk.
	Misha was bright, and it didn't take her long to figure out 
that her grandmother would only get older with time.  'That age' 
was keeping them apart more and more, but never for three days in 
a row.  She tried to imagine life without her grandmother--even 
the thought depressed her.
	Ajenti nuzzled her affectionately.  "Why don't you go play 
with Tanabi?  He really likes you."
	"He's OK," she answered half-heartedly.  Misha was really 
crazy about Tanabi, but it was just not the same.  That was 
Grandmother's special time, and it was for no one else.  If 
Grandmother couldn't come to her, she would go to Yolanda.  It 
would be a pleasant surprise.
	There were several places Yolanda loved to go.  Some of the 
more challenging ones, like her favorite branch in a low-hanging 
tree, had been neglected lately.  She was more apt to be dozing on 
one of the large rocks that caught the morning sun.  Misha went to 
the rocks, but no one was there.  She wasn't at the tree, either.  
And the small cistern where rainwater filled a cave in the rock 
was visited by two lionesses, neither one of which had seen her.
	Simba wished Misha a cheerful good morning.  "Tanabi was 
looking for you.  That is, if you're not taking your morning 
walk."
	"But I am, Your Majesty, if I can find my Grandmother.  You 
haven't seen Yolanda, have you?"
	"No, I'm afraid not."
	"I thought you were supposed to know where everyone is.  
You're king, aren't you?"
	Simba smiled pleasantly.  "Indeed I am.  But I'm not a 
miracle worker.  If I see her before you do, I'll tell her you're 
looking for her.  She's been kind of sick lately.  Maybe she's 
still asleep."
	"I checked," Misha said, distracted.
	Without saying good bye, Misha hurried on, but she had no 
idea where she was going.  Everywhere her Grandmother usually 
stayed was deserted.  So she must be somewhere unusual.  On a 
whim, she took the path down to the savanna that stretched out 
before Pride Rock.  The grass was tall, and it was easy for a 
lioness to disappear completely, a thought that was most upsetting 
to the antelopes and zebras.  "Grandmother!  Yolanda!  Are you out 
there?"  She hunted everywhere, which was not easy for a fully 
grown lioness, much less a cub.  "Grandmother!  It's me, Misha!"
	Just when she was about to give up, she saw Yolanda walking 
alone into the distance.
	"Grandmother!  It's me!"  Misha hurried over to her in the 
tall grass.  "Wait up, will you!  I've looked everywhere for you!  
Couldn't you hear me calling you?"
	Yolanda stopped for a moment to let Misha catch up, then 
resumed her slow, steady tread.  "I'm sorry I didn't come by for 
our walk.  I haven't felt well."
	"But you feel well now, don't you?  I mean, you're walking 
now."
	"Honey tree, I'm walking now because I don't feel well.  I 
don't want to be at home when something happens to me.  They would 
either have to move me to a more suitable place, or let the hyenas 
desecrate my den.  Either way, I don't want the ones I love to 
remember my death, but my life."
	"Are you going to die?"
	"Someday we all have to die.  It's part of life."
	"I wish you wouldn't say that.  You know I'd be sad if you 
died."  She ran a few steps out front, which was not difficult at 
the rate Yolanda walked.  "Can I walk with you?"
	"I suppose I have no choice, and I could use someone to talk 
to."
	"Maybe you'll tell me a story.  Where are you going?"
	"I'm going to be with my husband.  Your grandfather.  You 
never knew him.  His name was Simba, too.  Just like the King.  He 
was a good mate.  Seeing him will make me young again."
	"Not really.  I mean you just mean feel young, don't you?  I 
thought he was dead."
	Yolanda smiled, indulgently.
	"Can I see him too?"
	"Someday, Misha.  Not now."  She walked across the plain 
slowly, painfully.  Her joints had been stiff in the morning, but 
there was something more akin to lameness that was obvious even to 
Misha.
	"Are you all right?"
	"That doesn't matter now.  I'm tired.  I'm just so tired."
	"Then let's rest for a minute."
	"There will be time for rest later," she said, determined.  
"We are not far enough yet."
	"Far enough from what?  When is far enough?"
	"I'll tell you."
	She walked on.  The exertion made her perspire, and her 
breath was labored.  She stumbled over a small rock the way Misha 
might fall in a gopher hole.  "What are you trying to find?" Misha 
asked.  "There's nothing out here but grass."
	"That's the point," she said.  "It is the sort of place no 
one would go without a good reason."
	"Why don't you rest now?"
	"Are you tired, Misha?  you're so young and strong.  I'm 
so..."  Yolanda stopped.  Her teeth bared in a grimace of pain.  
"Oh gods!"
	"Grandmother!"
	Summoning all her reserve, she calmly said, "You were right, 
Misha.  This is the place.  We will rest here."  She collapsed 
into a heap and moaned.  "I'm so tired, Honey Tree.  I could use 
some sleep.  Why don't you go play someplace else right now and 
let me rest.  I'll be all right."
	"Grandmother?" Misha said in a trembly voice.  "Should I 
call Rafiki now?  He's just over there."
	"No, honey tree.  I'll be all right."  Saying that, she lay 
her head in the grass.  "Oh, can you feel the cool breeze, Misha?"
	"Yes, ma'am."
	She closed her eyes.  "Isn't it wonderful?  It's been so hot 
recently with no rains to freshen the air.  But it may be a fine 
day after all.  Nice and cool."  Yolanda took in a deep breath, 
and let it out in a long, slow sigh.  Misha anxiously watched her 
chest for a long time, waiting to see it rise and fall.  She 
waited for a long time.
	"Wake up, Grandma!  You can't sleep here!"  She ran 
nervously around the body, nipping her on the paws and licking her 
on the cheek.  "Don't leave me, Grandma.  You can't die.  You just 
can't!"
	Backing back from the body, Misha looked about for someone, 
anyone who could help.  Why did she have to go so far away into 
the brush?  Maybe Rafiki could help.  Oh that the gods would let 
him be at home!  "Is anybody out there?"
	Finally she spotted a lioness in the tall grass and ran 
toward her.  "Help!  Help!  It's Yolanda!"
	"It's not safe here," the lioness said.  "You must go."
	The voice galvanized her.  Misha stood frozen to the spot 
and stared at the sad, kindly face.  It seemed to shine with its 
own inner light, and she didn't know whether to be happy or 
terrified.  "Please don't leave me.  I don't want you to go.  I'll 
do anything.  Just stay a little longer, please!"
	"It's not safe," the lioness said firmly.  "The vultures are 
here and the hyenas are not far behind.  Run, honey tree.  Run 
home now!"
	Misha was grief stricken, but she had to flee before the 
ghastly funeral took place.  She couldn't hope to face off the 
scavengers at her age.  And so she ran toward Pride Rock.  She ran 
and ran like a mad thing and did not stop until she found her 
mother.



SCENE:  MAKING SENSE OF DEATH


	When Misha found her mother and told her what had happened, 
Ajenti moaned as if from a wound.  She ran up the side of Pride 
Rock and out onto the peak and roared one heart-rending roar.  The 
other lions didn't have to ask what happened, for Yolanda had been 
expected to die.  They roared as well, setting off a wave of sound 
that washed over the Pride Lands the sorrowful message.  It may 
have lasted a few seconds, or a few minutes--time seemed to stand 
still.  But when Ajenti lithely slinked back off the pinnacle and 
disappeared into the grass, so did her public grief.  From now on, 
she would discuss it only with friends and family, and only when 
asked about it.  They all understood that she loved her mother--
there was no need to keep proving it to everyone.  Indeed, if 
anyone asked her if she was heartbroken, and no one would, they 
would likely catch an indignant rake of her claws.
	For a couple of hours, all Misha could do was huddle next to 
her mother.  Ajenti needed her small, warm presence.  But there 
came a time when Ajenti needed to be alone for a while.  It was 
her turn to remember when she was the cub, and Yolanda would tell 
her stories of the old kings, and groom her with her warm moist 
tongue.  That was done best alone.
	Misha wanted her mother, but she welcomed the chance to head 
out unescorted across the savanna to the baobab tree.  Her heart 
was full of questions that must be answered--it was her first 
experience with death.
	Rafiki had an odd habit of talking to himself.  He put some 
small pieces of fruit into a bowl and took a bone in one hand 
while holding the bowl in the other.  "Look out, little ones!  
Here comes the elephant!"  He began to mash them into a paste.  
"Oh no!  This is just awful!  Shame on you, you ol' elephant!  Heh 
heh!"
	He got an egg.  Rarely did he use meat in his diet, and then 
it was only carrion.  The egg was the closest thing he had that 
day, a prize he had filched from a nest only that morning.
	"Oooh, it must be done so carefully!"  He said, positioning 
the egg on the edge of the bowl.  "A-one," he said, tapping it 
once lightly.  "A-two!" he said tapping it a little harder.  He 
turned the egg slightly.  "A-three!"  And at last with a smile, he 
said, "Here goes nothing!"
	"Rafiki!"
	The shell shattered in his fingers.  Egg loaded with shell 
fragments dribbled from his hand into the bowl.  "A-four," he said 
with a sigh, and shook off his hands.  "Who's there?"
	"Are you busy?"
	"Misha!"  He smiled, wiping his hands off quickly.  "Come 
in, my dear!  Sit!"  He planted a kiss on top of her head and 
giving her a hug.  "You honor my humble home."
	"Oh Rafiki, she's gone!  Grandma Yolanda is gone!"
	"I heard the cry," Rafiki said.  He understood a bit about 
how lions grieve, so he was careful in his approach.  "You have 
questions for Rafiki?"
	"Well, yes."
	"Come sit beside me," Rafiki said.  He put his arm around 
her and said, "Now ask your Uncle Rafiki anything at all."
	Misha's eyes brimmed with tears.  "I didn't want her to die.  
Why did she have to die?  She was so good.  Can't you help her?  
Why do the gods let good people die if they can do anything they 
want?  Why?"
	"Oh, the little lady starts with the biggest questions."  
Rafiki sighed.  "For one thing, no.  I'm sorry, but it's beyond me 
to call her back.  If I could have helped her, I would have helped 
Mufasa.  As for why there is death, there is a legend among the 
mandrills about how death came into the world.  My father told me, 
and he learned it from his father.  I will not tell you, for it's 
not the truth."
	"What is the truth?"
	"Death has always been a part of this world.  It is part of 
life.  Otherwise there would be no more room to move about.  It 
makes room for new generations to grow and flourish.  It renews 
the world.  It makes sense."
	"I see."  She sighed longingly.  "But why even live, if all 
you're going to do is die someday?  What's the point?"
	"Because if you didn't live, I couldn't put my arm around 
you and have these little talks."  He kissed her again.  "Your 
blood runs red with mud.  It is the soil of the earth mother that 
binds us to the great Circle of Life.  When we die, the water 
which is the life force returns to heaven with the morning dew.  
We are then freed from the mud, and freed from its pain.  All 
except the pain of separation, and that will take care of itself 
with time.  Remember even here the spirits of the blessed look 
down on us, and their prayers for us are always before the gods.  
Watch the night skies, and feel the love surround you.  You will 
know your grandmother is alive."
	"I saw her," Misha admitted.  "She told me to run away 
before the hyenas came."
	"You saw her?"  He said it like he believed her.  She was 
glad to tell someone about it.  "Grandma was shiny all over, lit 
up like the moon.  Mother says the stars are the spirits of the 
great kings, but where did she go?  Will she see my grandfather?"
	"The stars cannot be counted.  Could there be so many kings 
in a hundred creations?"  He smiled.  "She is a star like your 
grandfather, and if the life she led is any measure, she'll be the 
most beautiful star in the sky."

       When you love another soul, you have security,
       Because the thing you choose to love will last eternally;
       The secrets shared, the way she cared, 
       The jokes that make you smile
       May go away, but not to stay
       Except a little while....

       Aiheu is wonderful, He knows the pain you bear,
       And He will grant a share of comfort in the night;
       The ones you hold most dear, His hand will hold most near,
       Until you see them clear in His eternal light.

       When you're feeling very sad, the way you feel right now,
       You will do well to realize she's helping you somehow;
       She's holding you, enfolding you to soothe your fears away,
       And when you cry, her watchful eye will see you and she'll pray....

       Aiheu is wonderful, He knows the pain you bear,
       And He will grant a share of comfort in the night;
       The ones you hold most dear, His hand will hold most near,
       Until you see them clear in His eternal light.

	Misha lay her head on Rafiki's shoulder.  "I love you."
	"I love you too."  He gave her a pat.  "Now how about a little snack?"
	"What'cha got?"
	"It's sweet, it's disgusting.  You'll love it."
	Rafiki got the wooden bowl back out and stirred the contents 
up really well.  He put it before Misha, who attacked it with gusto.  
	"What is it?"
	"I call it elephant stew."

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