John Burkitt - The Leonid Saga

Ahadi finished with a smile on his face. He reached over and nuzzled Akase’s lovely body. “My gentle lover.”

“My tender Nisei,” she purred, eyes half closed as he rubbed her full length.

“Oh wow,” Mufasa said, a little trembly in the limbs. “Where did you learn that??”

“It’s a part of your heritage,” Akase said. “It’s been passed from parents to their cubs for uncounted years. I like to think it’s our way of getting you off to a good start.”

“Oh wow,” Mufasa said, still stunned. “That was so neat!”

“I’m glad you liked it.” Ahadi and Akase both nuzzled him and kissed him.

“Oh wow,” Mufasa whispered again. “Is that how you two feel about each other?”

Akase nuzzled her husband. “Honey tree, we used to act out the parts. Of course, as time went on we realized that no two loves are quite the same. Your father and I settled into our own comfortable routine. That’s the way it is with married life. You find in that special someone the missing part of you that makes you whole. So being married is just another step in becoming yourself.”

“Oh wow!” Mufasa said.

“Is that all you can say?” Ahadi asked. “Oh wow?”

Mufasa nuzzled him. “Thanks, Dad. I love you. I love you too, Mom.”

Sarabi looked in the cave. “Good morning, Ahadi! Good morning Akase!”

“Good morning, Sassie!”

Mufasa stared at her. Under the spell of the words, that echoed through his heart, he fondled her with his eyes and thought:

“Oh, hi Muffy! I didn’t see you there!”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Are you OK?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Uh, yeah?” She glanced at Ahadi with a smile of amusement. “Our next king?”

Mufasa headed out of the cave, and passing by Sarabi, he rubbed her full length and shuddered.

She smiled broadly and said, “Well, good morning to YOU TOO!”

Heart pounding, Mufasa hurried down the path from the promontory, rounded the bulk of Pride Rock and found the cold waters of the cistern. Stopping briefly to look at his reflection, he could hear the words more clearly:

“But she’s Taka’s!” Mufasa’s feelings stemmed from much further back than he would admit. Never before had he given them a name and dared to say it. “Sassie! I love you! Oh Gods, I’m in love with my Brother’s fiancee!”

With a spring, he launched himself into the icy embrace of his reflection. “Ooooh! Aaaaah! Eeeeee! Ooohhhe!” Splashing about in the shock of the incredibly frigid water, he forgot about romance for the moment.

Isha was passing by the cistern. She looked down at the soggy lion paddling about and shook her head. “Didn’t your parents teach you better?? We have to drink that stuff!”

“Yes, of course, Ma’am.” He grinned sheepishly and swam to the edge. “Sorry.”

The fur rose in hackles along Togo’s neck as he glared at his brother. “Idiot! Why did you blame ME for it, Beebee?? Now Mom’s mad at me, too!”

“Hey, I didn’t hear you complaining while we were sneaking up on her.” Kombi grinned smugly. “Admit it, you enjoyed it.”

“Did NOT!”

“Did too.”

“I did NOT, Kombi! And Vianga laughed at me, too! Why did you tell her about the song I was trying to make for her?! It was a secret!”

Kombi burst into fresh laughter. “‘Oh, Vivi,’” he said, eyes fluttering. “‘Your fur is like the sun to me, that sets my heart on fire! Your eyes are like two sparkling pools that fill me with desire!’”

Togo’s vision doubled. “SHUT UP!” he cried suddenly. “I HATE YOU!” He buried his head under his paws, for a moment his sobbing the only sound in the shocked stillness.