Part Three: Suspicious Minds

He looked cold and alone out there….

Huzuni had remained awake longer then the rest of the pride, staring out at the dark figure shadowed by a rock. She knew that with Tama and many of the elder girls out on guard duty, they’d all be safe tonight… but she was sad that already Kovu had plans for him and Kiara. The first night he’d arranged to try and teach her to hunt, but then Simba had forbidden it and for the past three days Kiara had been grounded and Kovu had been under the constant watch of lionesses like Sarabi and Tabia. But with her sisters and Simba asleep, Huzuni decided to try her luck and stepped out into the cold night to sit with him.

“Have you come to take me to the pond again Huzuni? That’s as far as I’m allowed after-all isn’t it?” Kovu snorted in annoyance and Huzuni found herself as close to blushing as she could be. It was so hard not to be excited and happy about seeing such a handsome and strange looking male, but Huzuni was too nervous to say anything and instead just nodded her head about it. Kovu grinned, almost viciously and stood up straight before sidling up to her and flicking his tail against the inside of her leg in a very flirtatious manner, only to make Huzuni sit down immediately and look scared. “Something wrong?”

“I… uh… I was going to go myself, so it just seemed a good reason to invite you. Plus… I don’t think I’ve thanked you enough for your kindness to me and Sadaka… and of course to the princess.” The words came out bitterly from Huzuni’s mouth and she realised that if had indeed shown through as Kovu gave an understanding smile. He’d guessed she was still jealous he’d saved Kiara, so he stood up and batted his head against Huzuni’s, making her blush in surprise.

“You don’t have to lie to me Huzuni – I can see just as much as you can how spoilt the princess is. She’s not the brightest star in the sky is she?” Kovu chuckled and Huzuni lowered her ears gently, just so he could understand that she still wanted to seem a good friend. But the dark lion then flicked her nose with his dark tuft at the end of his tail and began to stroll toward the pond, Huzuni trotting gently to his side.

As they strolled towards the water they had many conversations about what was going on in the world. It was pleasant to be alone with Kovu and to know someone shared her opinion. Although the other lions in the pride thought of him as sinister and up to something, Huzuni was content – for his story to Simba had been the same as to her – he’d become a rogue. In fact, when Huzuni thought over it very carefully, she and Kovu owed not only Mufasa’s law but Sadaka’s confession to Simba. It was something that Kovu pointed out as being a shock to him, considering Sadaka had wanted to slit his throat. But Huzuni informed him all about it being due to Sadaka’s pride and noble manner not to lie. It seemed to make sense to Huzuni, but she wasn’t sure if Kovu could quite grasp it all.

They reached the pond at the bottom of Pride Rock and silence reigned, it was always best to be quiet when the likes of Aminifu and Tama were on guard. So they resigned themselves to drinking gently as the water and checking for any watchers. It was stranger and Huzuni had never felt so suspicious of every aspect of her world before. She had never had to care before if her sisters had been listening or if she’d been seen and yet now… now she was with Kovu and she didn’t want anyone to know how much she loved being with him.

“I’m surprise you can cope with the Pride Lands Huzuni.” Kovu stated after a long drag of water. Huzuni’s ears flattened and she looked oddly startled at his words. Kovu merely grinned and gave a gentle chuckle. “I mean… you get bossed around by your sisters and though you’re prettier then Kiara males would probably all go for her because of her title. If Simba is really like his dad then you and yours will be used as breeding bargaining chips. It sounds worse then being a rogue!”

Kovu’s smarmy way of saying it would have earned him a beating, even from gentle Liani, but Huzuni could not bring herself to scold him. Indeed she felt strangely depressed and uneasy, as if he’d lifted the veil from her eyes. As she thought over it, her mother would never take a mate again; her sisters were deadly loyal to Simba and would understand the reasoning. Sadaka especially would hold it as her highest honour… but Huzuni didn’t want that. She couldn’t accept a life without love and a male to cling to if she needed him!

“I never thought about it like that… it doesn’t matter I suppose. I owe Simba my life, my family all come from here and it would guarantee cubs…” Huzuni began, wandering in thought. But then she made a snort and shook her head. “Kiara’s got two betrothals! The first was to Nunka or one of those boys before the deaths of her siblings. Now she’s to marry King Askari in four months time.”

“She’s what?” Kovu suddenly spluttered into the water and Huzuni stared at him in surprise. Why should he care about Kiara being betrothed anyway? But Kovu seemed genuinely surprised and eager to question the situation; it made Huzuni just a little bit nervous. But when Kovu picked up on this uncertainty he seemed to shrink as if embarrassed. He was quick to say something to reassure her though. “I take it she knows she’s betrothed, right?”

“Well of course… Askari was promised Kiara’s paw as a way to bind his kingdom in the northeast and the Pride Lands. The thoughts were that Kiara would join him to produce cubs while Simba still ruled and then when two cubs were produced they would separate with their heirs and marry them to other royalty of neighbours and reform the royal bloodlines. It was Simba’s great vision to calm the lands damaged by hyenas or who cut their alliance during Scar’s reign.” Huzuni stated knowingly and then grimaced slightly. “Askari creeps me out though; he didn’t care about any age difference between them!”

“Well I wouldn’t say Kiara is any better. I can tell you anything… can’t I Huzuni? We’re friends enough to speak openly to one another.” Kovu stated slyly with an almost anxious look. Huzuni nodded eagerly. “Okay… she’s been very flirty with me… and with that one-eyed guy who visits…”

“KOSEY? She even flirts with her half-uncle?” Huzuni stated in surprise, only to quickly put her paw to her mouth and then look about her. Kovu though looked even more shocked… he couldn’t believe that there was another lion in the ranks he’d have to remove. He wanted to ask questions about the big guy, figure out some way to get rid of him even, but he’d noticed Huzuni was getting just a little too nervous and so he gave a gentle hiccup.

“We should head back now… I wouldn’t want my best friend getting into trouble because of me.” Kovu stated, gently rubbing his head against his shoulder, only to then give a giggle. The pair of them padded away and back to Pride Rock. Huzuni had a lot to think about however, she couldn’t believe that such a thing could happen but it made her feel more secure with Kovu. He told her that he went along with it so that he didn’t get killed by Kovu, that Kiara had threatened him with it. Huzuni understood and found herself stepping away from Kiara more and more, asking to be on guard duty more often so that she could try and see if Kosey was getting it from the princess as well. But despite it all, Huzuni’s sisters were getting a bit nervous… especially Jahina.