"Anything to get back in the hunt, " Misha said tiredly. She stretched, wincing briefly as her shoulder pain flared up.

They walked away from Pride Rock, down the path to the watering hole. Though the ban was lifted, most animals kept only a convenient distance between themselves and a pair of talkative lions on an early morning stroll. Tanabi looked at a herd of skittish zebras, wondering if one of them was the colt he met the day before. "It's a shame we can't have a truce more often."

"Like today, perhaps?"

"Heavens, no! " He whispered to her, "Every day without you is an eternity."

"I think about you all the time, " Misha whispered back.

"I will wait for you, Misha. As long as it takes, I swear it."

"Don't make promises you might not be able to keep. I may not be any good at hunting, and you will come to forget me."

"You only have to be good once. I will never forget you. Your love is in the bones of me."

"Would you really wait for me, Tanabi?"

"I've always waited for you, haven't I?"

"I hear you love birds whispering down there, " Zazu said. "I hope it's not some sort of plan."

"Matter of fact it is a sort of plan, " Simba said. "A plan to get her well again."

Zazu fluttered down and lit on Tanabi's backbone. The smooth lion tread swayed Zazu ever so gently as he perched there. "Your Highness, I do sympathize. We hornbills have some rather ridiculous mating rituals too."

"Are you saying our laws are ridiculous?"

"Oh no, Your Highness. Just that while I'm not a good judge of lion beauty, I know a natural pair when I see one. When a hornbill and his mate are that struck on each other, all it takes are a few flutters and squawks--no more than a dozen or so--to cinch the deal."

"Flutters and squawks?"

"You know...." Zazu flapped his wings quickly, shook his tail feathers and went, "Squ-WAWK! Squ-WAWK! "

Misha laughed. "So that's what woke me up this morning! "

"Heavens, no! " Zazu folded his wings indignantly. "Madam, I am more discrete with my private life than the neighborhood riffraff. Where I come from...."

Misha's ears snapped to attention. She froze in her tracks.

"What's up?" Zazu asked.

"Hssssh! "

There was a rumbling. The ground tremored expectantly. Seconds later, a group of antelope came bursting from the thicket and charging blindly toward them. Zazu had to fly hard and fast get out of the way. From the air, he could just see the lionesses that started the stampede. "This sort of thing doesn't go on in the morning. What are they trying to do?"

Misha and Tanabi ran to intercept one of the antelopes. She was so close to one that she could almost touch it, but her shoulder was hurt, and she was in pain. She was beginning to lose ground, and afraid of another injury. "Help me, G.o.ds! I need a miracle! "

Just then, claws and feathers came at the face of the antelope. Panicked, it tried to stop and go back the other way. Again, the hornbill flew right in its face. "Out of my way, fool! "

Misha's strong jaws closed around its throat. It was soon over.

Shortly after, the other lionesses arrived. "Well well, look who got her first kill! " Uzuri took some of the blood from the body on her paw and touched her own cheek, then Misha's. "Warn them a lioness is on the prowl! "

The lionesses roared, sending a flock of flamingos scattering in pink disarray. Elephants trumpeted in surprise and headed back toward the cover of the trees.

Zazu was walking unsteadily on the ground. "Oh G.o.ds, I think I'm going to be sick." There was a sound of hide being stripped from the abdomen. Zazu glanced for an instant at the open hole and turned quickly away. "Yes, I'm sick! "

"Zazu! " Tanabi ran over. "Zazu, you old son of a gun! Good work! "

"Good? You call that good?" He nearly wretched. "Never tell anyone I helped in this disgusting spectacle. I'll never admit to it. I always keep myself as far away from blood as possible! "

"He's trying to thank you, " Misha said. "It was very n.o.ble of you, Zazu. In a way, it makes you a sort of...well..."

"Please don't say honorary lioness, " Zazu replied, staring at her b.l.o.o.d.y cheek. "I don't look good in red."

"No, I meant hero."

"Hero? Me?" Zazu bowed with a flourish. "Pardon my manners--you're both quite welcome. It was the least I could do under the circ.u.mstances. All in a day's work, you know. And since you won't be needing a chaperone, I'll leave you alone. Be good, now."

Zazu flew away, but Tanabi and Misha were not alone by any means. The other lionesses stood about smiling, the sort of smile that made Tanabi feel shaved of all his fur. "Ladies, don't you have somewhere to go? Huh?? Well find someplace. Scat! Shoo! "

"Oooh, they want to be alone! " one of the lionesses said, coyly. It started a chorus of giggles.

"Talk about ingrat.i.tude, " one of them chimed. "I don't have to hang around here and take this abuse. I'm leaving."

Misha watched them go slowly into the tall gra.s.s. "Tanabi, they helped us. Do you really think that was the right thing to do?"

"Yes, Honey Tree. And I'd do it again."

She nuzzled him. "Just checking."

SCENE: BEFORE THE a.s.sEMBLED HOST.

"And when the mane comes forth the G.o.ds expect certain things of a lion. He shall be tested by the wilderness, and if he is found worthy, he shall become a King."

-- WISDOMS OF JABANI.

Isha's son Habusu was more than a best friend of Tanabi. He was in every way a brother. Because of this, and the strong feelings engendered by the kidnapping, there were many reasons why Simba did not want to lose Habusu.

Still he had the obligation to do something concerning Habusu since his mane was fully grown and he was well past his second birthday.

Each moon, Simba would make a sacrifice to Aiheu and pray that the G.o.ds would permit him a little more time. Just why he did this, and how long he expected to keep it up he would not say.

Finally, when Zazu came flying in excitedly with news from outside the kingdom, Simba called the whole Pride together from the oldest to the youngest. "It's happening! "

"What's happening??" Sarafina asked "You'll see! "

Isha came out to see what the commotion was about. Simba nuzzled her warmly. "Isha, I want you, Mabatu and Miss Priss to come with me. We're having a Pride Moot at the eastern meadow. And your family will sit by me."

"I'm honored." She looked at him worriedly. "Is today the day I lose him? I'm supposed to get two days notice."

"You will never lose him. I swear."

"But the G.o.ds?"

"The G.o.ds will rejoice."

"It's him, isn't it. He's come back for me?"

Simba smiled broadly. "I'll give you two guesses."

Isha's face beamed with joy. She nuzzled Simba and annointed his mane with her tears. "Bless you. Bless you! "

"Now now, " Simba cautioned, rubbing her gently with his paw. "You don't want to smell like another lion when your husband comes."

When the Pride had gathered on the eastern meadow, there was a lot of speculation what would happen. Most of them had heard rumors that Simba planned a special mantlement ceremony for Habusu that was only rarely performed. The others thought Rafiki had found a reason for Habusu to stay, and perhaps be the Prince Consort. They were expecting adoption proceedings. But whatever they thought, they waited silently and all eyes were on Habusu.

Several minutes pa.s.sed. Simba waited patiently, erect, and as long as he sat there, no one would stir. A few cubs played in the gra.s.s, but as long as they kept it quiet no one seemed to mind. But the adults and older youth sat stock still, waiting for Simba to give the word to begin.

An hour pa.s.sed. Many of the lions were very restless. Would Simba ever say, "Begin"?

Then Zazu broke the monotony. "Here he is! "

A large, shapely lion with a rich, dark mane came out of the shadows. "Isn't he handsome! " one of the lionesses whispered.

The stranger looked at Kako and said quietly, "Mother."

Kako left the ranks and covered the s.p.a.ce that separated them, putting her arm over his shoulder and nuzzling him. "My son, my son! "

So this was the heir to Taka's kingdom, the son that had returned. Many of the lionesses stared at what the adolescent had become. The miracle of his maturity was all the greater because it was not seen unfolding day by day.

Kissing his mother, Mabatu gently led her aside, then went to Simba. Falling down before him, he said, "I touch your mane."

"I feel it."

"And what brings you to my kingdom?"

"I come to claim what is minea"if she still wants me."

"Yes, yes, YES!! " Isha sprang forward and raising on her hind legs wrapped her arms around his neck, pawing him and nuzzling him. "I'm yours forever! "

At this, all semblance of order was lost. "Big boy, you're in for some loving tonight! " Sarafina cried.

"I'm the real Isha! " Ajenti shouted. "She's an imposter! Take me, take me! "

"Way to go, Isha! If you get tired, send him my way! "

"Enough of this, " Simba said, calling for order. "Can't you see they have unfinished business?"

"Can we watch?" Sarafina said.

"Shame on you, Fini." Simba had to chuckle at that remark.

In the calm that followed, Mabatu beheld his son for the first time. "So this is Habusu. He is my son, and the one true heir." He nuzzled Habu and added, "It is a small kingdom. I share it with an old lion who lost a challenge. We are a matched pair, a sunrise and a sunset. But he is a dear friend, and you will grow to love him."

Lisani came up and nuzzled her mother.

"And who is this?"

"Lisani, but we call her Miss Priss. Beesa's daughter. My sister died some time ago." Isha looked at her compa.s.sionately. "What do you want to do, Miss Priss?"

"I want to go wherever you go. But the nickname stays here, OK?"

Mabatu smiled. "Fair enough, Lisani. I guess that makes five of us."

"You're taking two of my best lionesses, and a second son, " Simba said. "You better leave before I change my mind."

"Three of your best lionesses, " Kako said with little modesty but great effect. "Someone has to make sure my son is eating right. And my daughter."

And so it was that the visitor from the east went back the way she came, taking her mystery with her. But this time she was surrounded by the love of her own family.

IN CLOSING.

"The anger of Duma was kindled, and he swore a mighty oath that Obade should die. And he said, *Milk and mud are easily mixed, but once together, who shall separate them? Thus is the oath mixed with my blood, and only spilling my blood can release me.' But Aiheu rebuked him saying *I am the Lord who made the soil and made the mother's milk. And to those I anoint comes the power to separate mud from milk, that they may also separate foolishness from righteousness. What mother would vow to give her cub mud instead of milk? How then shall you vow to slay your brother when it is evil?'"

-- LEONID SAGA, "J" SECTION, VARIATION 2 Sarabi was stirred from sleep by a gentle but firm paw. She opened her eyes, but seeing the darkness of her cave grunted and closed them again.

"Sarabi, " a lion called gently. She started. "Sarabi, over here."

She looked around, and standing before her was her heart's desire. "Mufasa! "

Mufasa went to her, nuzzled her and kissed away her tears. "My love."