Shadow of Makei cotpl-3

by John H. Burkitt

  "This is my payment for showing you where to hunt, big boy," she teased, chewing contentedly. “Next lesson: guard your prey from jealous eyes. That’s why I climb trees.”

  “But that’s my first! I want to know what it tastes like!”

  “I’ll describe it to you.”

  “We could share.”

  “We certainly could. But what would be the fun in that?”

  “It would be nice and friendly.”

  Simba extended his claws and began to shinny up the rough-barked tree with absolute determination in his eyes.

  She stopped chewing, her claws flicking out as she hugged the limb for balance. "W-What are you DOING?!"

  He flailed clumsily, trying to ascend and keep his own balance. "I'm going to join you for dinner, hon."

  "STOP!" The tree, not that big to begin with, began to sway drunkenly. "You're too big, imbecile!"

  "Well I’m getting smaller by the minute. I'm hungry."

  CRAAACK!!!!

  Splinters shot up in a spray and sap spewed into the air in haphazard patterns as the tree surrendered, shredding at its lower end to come tumbling down with a crash. As it neared the ground, the end of the tree snapped clear of the stump, pistoning out and jarring the cats, sending them flying clear. The gazelle was not so lucky; Mikosi had wedged it into a fork of the tree to keep it from falling, and she did her job well; it remained there all the way to the ground, where it was obliterated by the smashing weight of the trunk.

  Mikosi shook her head blearily, staring at Simba as he staggered to his feet. "You're crazy!"

  “Well look. I don’t mind hunting with you if you play fair, OK? Let’s set down some rules here and now. Those that work, eat.”

  She looked into his angry eyes, expecting the worst. He went over to the fallen tree, pulling what remained of the carcass out and starting to eat as she watched hungrily. The sensation of eating meat stirred him, and he remembered old feelings and old friends from long ago. A shudder of deep emotion went through him. He’d finished more than half of it, but then he backed back a little. “Won’t you join me, Mikosi?”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. When I say something, I mean it.”

  She came up tentatively beside him, snatching a quick bite and chewing, relaxing when he ignored her and started to eat again. "Friends?"

  "Friends."

  She kissed his cheek. “You’re rather special, you know that?”

  Abruptly a low growl issued from the trees behind them. They turned to see another leopard descending, his flat yellow glare fixed on Mikosi. "Gods, this is SICK! You'll go with ANYTHING! I thought you were just having an affair, but my gods, this is SICK!"

  “He’s just a friend! He’d never been around his own kind, and I thought I’d show him how to--well--you know!”

  The male leopard moaned. “That’s what I was afraid of!” She tried to explain, but he would hear none of it. He told Simba, "Get out, you home wrecker! Out, out out!!!!"

  “I just trying to satisfy my appetite.”

  "Oh gods! I don't want to hear the sordid details! Take your ‘appetite’ as you call it and GET OUT!!!"

  As Simba padded away slowly, he couldn’t help but hear the heated argument behind him as the leopard berated Mikosi. “Tell me he didn’t! Tell me you didn’t!”

  “You jealous fool,” she hissed. “What if we did! You think you can come waltzing into my life every few months and tell me how to run my affairs??”

  In fury, he bellowed, “DID YOU??”

  “NO!” Simba shouted. “Absolutely not! No way! Forget it kid! I’m out of here!”

  “I thought you were very special!” she called after Simba.

  “Special??” The leopard ran and blocked Simba’s escape. “Hey Fire Flanks, you want her, you fight for her! Come on, lion! I’ll fight you to the death!”

  “But I don’t want to fight you!”

  “Are you saying she’s not worth it! You made it with my wife, then you leave her flat?? I’d kill you for that, or die trying!”

  “Look,” Simba said. “It’s really you she loves. I mean hey, she cried out your name by mistake. It’s a real turn-off when someone yells ‘Oh Oswego’ in a moment of passion.”

  The leopard’s hackles raised and he began to tremble with unstoppable rage. Just as Timon and Pumbaa were wishing they were on another continent, the leopard shrilly screamed, “I’M NOT OSWEGO!! MY NAME IS HAMBA!!”

  He pushed past Simba and barreled after the leopardess at top speed. When all was still, and the trio had gone safely into the forest, Timon said, “Yesss!!” and high-fived Simba. “Gods, what an inspiration!!”

  CHAPTER 59: TO SLEEP, PERCHANCE TO DREAM

  Simba listened enraptured to the soft voice of the leopardess. “You are special,” she purred alluringly. “Friends?”

  “Friends.”

  “You can’t have him,” a lioness voice said from the bushes. “He doesn’t belong in the trees like a leopard. He belongs in the open with me.” It was Sasha.

  The lioness twitched her head for him to follow. He left the leopardess behind and followed her.

  Soon he found himself back in the open savanna where his heart belonged. Sasha came to him and nuzzled him slowly and gently, pawing his face and then slinking softly down his full length. “Isn’t this better?”

  “Much.”

  “Jomo is not around. We have this to ourselves.”

  A smile warmed the corners of her shapely mouth and her eyes half closed. She rolled on her back in the rich grass, taking in a deep breath and letting it slowly out. “Simba.”

  He smiled, drifting alongside her warm body and lowering his bulk with such grace that the grass whispered in answer. He looked over into her soft hazel eyes and rolled on his back, snuggled against her graceful body. A feeling of peace and contentment swept over him like a calm wind, blowing his worries and doubts away and leaving only the essence of his wondering soul.

  As they lay next to each other, she reached over with an adventurous paw and began to explore his soft mane and feel his heartbeat. Simba grunted his approval, his eyes half closed in satisfaction. “Oh yes, you know what I like.”

  “I know what you like,” she said mischievously, and she began to widen her explorations.

  His eyes opened wide. “Hey!”

  She gazed at him longingly. “It’s what you want, isn’t it?”

  “Well, I....”

  She licked his face slowly and passionately. “You can’t hide it from me. It’s been on your mind since we met.”

  “Well, I....”

  “It’s all right, honey tree. Really it is. It’s what I want too.” She reached over with a paw again, starting at his chest and slowly, steadily setting him on fire. “Make love to me, Simba.”

  “OK. But it’s going to be my first time.” He rolled over and got to his feet. “Do you still want me?”

  She looked up at him and smiled. “Yes.” She rolled over smoothly into a crouch. “Don’t be afraid. You’re so timid, just like a little cub.” She licked out the end of her tongue in a kiss. “I think you’re kind of cute.”

  Suddenly, Jomo came running toward them. “Get away! Get away from her!”

  The two squared off, and Simba flailed at him, claws out. Jomo was bold, but to the point of overconfidence. He did not expect a firm defense, and Simba struck at him, catching him on the side of the face.

  Stunned, Jomo fell back, and Simba rained blow after blow on him almost unopposed.

  Soon Simba prevailed. He saw the vanquished foe at his feet, but rather than beg for mercy, the lion said, "Everything I had is yours. But before you make love to her, why don't you tell her I'm the second lion you killed. Your own father's blood is on your paws!"

  Simba looked at him and realized it was his Uncle Scar.

  "No!" Simba backed up. "I didn't kill him!” he stammered. “I swear I didn't! It was an accident!"

  Taka glared at him as he lay mortally wounded,
his life draining away with each beat of his heart. "It's all your fault! If you hadn’t messed up, he’d still be alive. Go away and never come back!"

  "It's NOT my fault! It's NOT!"

  Simba struggled awake, striking out at the bare air in his efforts to escape the nightmare. Breathing rapidly, his heart pounding, he sat in the still heat of the jungle, the humid air stifling him and making each breath an effort. At last his heat slowed, and he reclined back onto the leaves, his fur soaked in sweat. His eyes flicked up to the dark canopy of leaves overhead, and for the first time in months, he wept bitterly, the tears falling silent onto the forest loam.

  CHAPTER 60: PIPKAH THE GREAT

  Uzuri heard that Pipkah’s latest fiasco was supposedly due to errors by the lionesses, for the maneuver was a flawless one taught him by “my dear friend Uzuri.” Pipkah had been playing that association to the hilt lately, and Uzuri was determined that at her own time and in her own way she would set the record straight.

  Pipkah enjoyed the cool, clear waters of the cistern behind Pride Rock. He came alone, which suited Uzuri just fine.

  Pipkah drank deeply, then let out a satisfying belch. Ah, life at Pride Rock was good, even if there was not as much food as there used to be. As one of Shenzi’s trusted ones, he always ate well if nearly everyone else did without.

  “It’s me,” Uzuri said, stepping out of the shadows.

  “Uzuri!” Pipkah stepped back a pace or two, not certain how much she’d heard or how she would react.

  “My Pipkah,” she said softly, nuzzling him. “You know I’m in my season. Taka is content with Elanna, and where does that leave me?”

  “Very disappointed?”

  “Not really. Not as alone as you might think.” She rubbed along him full length. “It will be awkward at first, but you will adjust with a little help from me.”

  Pipkah stepped back again. “Adjust what?”

  Uzuri let out a protracted purr, her eyes half closed. “A hunter like me and a hunter like you. When I heard about your legendary skill, that was it. I was lost. Make love to me, Pipkah!”

  “Oh gods....” Pipkah swallowed hard. “I’m not really that good! I brag a lot. Some of it is a downright lie!”

  “So modest and shy! I think that’s SUCH a turn-on! Just think—we’ll have three days of non-stop passion.”

  “Three days??”

  He started to leave, but she stepped in his path rather suddenly. “Make love to me, Pipkah! Set me on fire!”

  “But I....” He scrambled on top of a small rock. She looked up at him and easily bounded up with him, her body crowded next to his on the small platform.

  “But what about—uh—Shimbekh! Yeah, Shimbekh!”

  “I’ll have a talk with her.”

  “No, don’t do that!”

  “She deserves to know what we share between us! She is a good girl, and needs to find another male.” She looked him over appraisingly. “Those are the cutest ears, and that smile is so warm and sexy.”

  “Uh, thanks, I think.”

  “And check out that fanny!” She reached back with a paw and tickled him.

  “Whoa!!! My gods!!!” He jumped from the rock, shivering. “Madam, PLEASE!”

  “You don’t have to beg me!” She jumped down, then walked in front of him and crouched down, looking over her back. “Come on, lover! Give it your best shot. We’ll work on it till we get it right.”

  Ber padded around the corner and froze. “Oops!”

  “Ber! Hey, old buddy!”

  “Pipkah—I hope I’m not interrupting anything....”

  “Oh, not at all! This is NOT what it looks like!”

  Panting and moving her lips in a pout, Uzuri stared at Pipkah. “I’m waiting, honey pot.”

  “I can come back later,” Ber said.

  “Come back in about three days,” Uzuri said shortly. “We’re otherwise occupied.”

  “You said it, sister! But don’t worry—I won’t tell a WORD to the others. Your secret is safe with me.” Ber laughed wickedly. “But of course we ALL know how you feel about each other.” He started to go.

  “Don’t leave me here!” Pipkah cried. “I mean, there’s no rush, old friend. I have to get to guard duty. You keep Uzuri company for me.”

  “I took on your guard duty, remember?”

  “But you’ve been two days without a furlough. I don’t think that’s morally RIGHT, Ber!”

  “Hmmm. The only way you could relieve me if you wanted to would be to take the next eight days.”

  “EIGHT DAYS??”

  “But hey, I got you covered. You’ll have NO INTERRUPTIONS. Kiss kiss!”

  “OK, eight days it is!” Pipkah looked at Uzuri. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I have work to do. Maybe in eight days, if you’re still interested, we can have a red-hot honeymoon under the acacias.”

  He ran away very quickly.

  Uzuri laughed. “Ok, Ber, you remember our agreement? I got you eight days of leisure.”

  “And you sneak away for three days to see your husband that I’m not aware exists. If anyone asks me where you are, you’re sick and I saw you retching up breakfast.” He smiled coyly and added, “Behave yourself, my dear! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”

  She smiled back. “Honey tree, I’m about to do EVERYTHING you wouldn’t do!”

  CHAPTER 61: FACING FACTS

  Ef a man is what he isn’t, den he isn’t what he am,

  And as sure as I’m a-talkin’ he isn’t worth a damn!

  Doan’t ye be what you ain’t, jes’ you be what you is.

  Ef a man is what he isn’t, den he isn’t what he is;

  And as sure as I’m a-talkin’, he’s a-gwyne to git his!

  -- EDWIN MILTON ROYLE

  Simba was disturbed by some of the feelings his young adulthood gave him. Hakuna Matata was stretching thin. He wanted a mate, he wanted meat, he wanted a territory, he wanted absolution. In short, he felt trapped, with little hope of ever achieving any of the success predicted by Gur’bruk and Kambra.

  Sefu the secretary bird was unconventional, but his advice when given was not taken lightly. And it was to Sefu that he looked for help.

  Of course, Sefu was not easily found. Unlike his old friends on Pride Rock, there was no way of knowing when and were the Secretary Bird would show up. Despondent, Simba paused one morning while Timon and Pumbaa continued on to the water hole to get a drink and bowed his head.

  “Please, Aiheu, help me! I may not pray every night like I should, and I may be just a fugitive, but Mom said you were merciful. Please give me a second chance, God. Please show me the way--I’m so lost!”

  Just when Simba was about to lose his faith in the power of prayer, Sefu surprised them at the watering hole.

  “Sefu! I’m so glad to see you!”

  “Hey, cat! Likewise!”

  While Pumbaa wallowed in the shallows and Timon gargled noisily as he drank, Simba managed to corner Sefu for a moment and try to put into words what was only a feeling of emptiness, a dread of dying alone and forgotten, a creeping despair that eroded him like fungi on a fallen log.

  “Hey, been there, done that.” Sefu looked at him appraisingly. “Some of us little folks can fit into a little hole somewhere and hide ourselves from the world. Some of us can’t.”

  “Yeah.”

  “I heard through the grapevine that you tried to take meat from the local tribesmen. I guess you found out they have a lot of sense for creatures without fur or feathers.”

  Simba uttered a short laugh. “No darned kidding.”

  “Well they have this custom of making shapes of geese out of pitch covered straw. From a distance, they look real. They are set out in the lake and when the real geese see them, they think its safe and light. Then they get whacked.”

  “Is there a moral to this story?”

  “No!” Sefu said. “I just wanted you to know that you’re an impostor. You’re not a jungle bum. Hakuna Matata does not fit you. You were me
ant to be marsh grass, and no matter how much they weave you or tar you, you can't be a goose unless you were born a goose. Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly--well, at least most of them do--and lions gotta roar. You don't belong here. You'll NEVER belong here. You belong out there, free and unencumbered. As free as the wind blows. As free as the grass grows. Born free to follow your heart." He threw back his wing, held up his head and burst out with "BORN FREE! AS FREE AS THE WIND BLOWS...."

  Timon grabbed his beak shut. "Please, don't sing it!" He turned back to Simba. “Listen, kid! It does no good bringing up a lot of false hopes and stirring up a lot of pain. Hakuna Matata is the only way. You gotta be like Pumbaa here--he’s got it all figured out.”

  But Pumbaa was looking at Sefu and Simba wistfully. He was anything but sure about Timon’s logic. He felt sorry for Simba.

  “I was afraid this would happen someday,” Pumbaa said. “But when the time comes, I’ll let go. Simba, we’re all born into this world with a destiny. Some of us might have it easier than others, but you can’t escape your destiny.”

  “What is my destiny?” Simba asked.

  “That is something that you must figure out for yourself, my son. That’s between you and God. And whatever it is, I’ll be there to help you fulfill it.”

  Timon looked at Pumbaa disbelievingly. But the warthog had a look of wisdom and nobility shining in his eyes that stunned him. He could not find the nerve to contradict him, and looked away, sighing. “Yeah, IF.”

  CHAPTER 62: THE LEAP OF FAITH

  Makhpil was quick to join the Omlakhs. She was filled with love and idealism, and she expected even more from her God. Even before she saw chinks in the psychic armor of Melmokh, she knew that he was a pretender and evil.

  But her suspicions were confirmed in a very real and frightening way. She had never spoken with Gur’mekh, but through her contacts with Shimbekh and Brin’bi she understood at a gut level the possibilities of her powers. And in what was to settle her doubts forever, she lay on the ground and covered her eyes with her paws. “Thou in me and I in thee. Come together let us be!” She repeated the mantra over and over, feeling in her heart the closeness of the one who claimed to be God. That she might not survive was not important. One way or the other she must know.