When good news is too good to be true, it’s sure to be followed by something bad. Simba’s return to the Pride Lands offered hope to the despondent and strength to the weary. But Isha found her rejoicing cut short when realized her most precious possession was missing--Habu was nowhere to be found.
Simba and Nala were just waking up after their first night home. Before they could go for a morning drink at the cistern, Isha bounded into their cave, wild-eyed. "Forgive my intrusion, Incosi, but I can't find my son! Please help me!" Isha was nearly incoherent. "I let him go play with Uzuri's cubs' but they don't know where he went and he won't answer me!"
"Calm down, Isha." Nala touched her with her tongue. "Think now, where did you see him last?"
"I was lying in the grassy spot over by the north face. He went off to play with Togo and Kombi. I told him to stay near Uzuri but he didn't listen." She struck the ground with her paw. "I should never have let him go!"
Uzuri slinked in morosely. "I can't find him, Isha. I don't know where he went, but I found out why." She frowned at her twins who tried to look small and inconspicuous. "It seems Togo and Kombi were playing a little...rough." She patted Isha comfortingly. "Don't worry, Hon, he's probably just sulking somewhere."
"That's just it; he always comes when I call him, no matter what mood he's in. He's such a good boy." She buried her face into Uzuri’s shoulder and sobbed. “My son! My little son!”
Simba glanced at Nala. "Oh boy. I'm gonna go ask Rafiki if he can help. Maybe he'll know where to look. In the meanwhile, get some search parties organized."
Simba worked his way quickly down the rock, then ran unbroken toward Rafiki’s acacia. Isha had taken several bites meant for him during The Great Battle, and he felt suitably grateful. “Aiheu, help us! Isha deserves better than this.” By the large trunk of the tree he stopped breathless, looking up into the branches. “Rafiki! Rafiki?? Are you awake??"
"Indeed I am. What is all the commotion about?"
“Habusu is lost. Can you do anything to help us? We have to find him quickly, before something else does."
Rafiki started. "Aiheu forbid--I will try."
Back at Pride Rock, Isha was going crazy with worry. Nala was stroking her with a paw, nuzzling her. “We will find him, Auntie Isha. I promise.”
“How can you promise something like that?” Isha trembled. “You can’t! What if he’s dead already?? What if he’s fallen into a sinkhole?? Maybe he’s calling for me!”
“Easy, girl! Easy! Don’t think such things!”
Simba came running back to the cave with a frantic looking Rafiki on his back clinging to his mane.
Isha stepped out of the cave, looking hopeful, but her face fell when she saw no sign of her cub.
"Isha, my poor dear," Rafiki said, running up and hugging her neck. "Do not fret. We will find your child." He quickly set up his scrying bowl and filled it with water from a gourd he carried. “Do you have anything that he might have touched or played with in the past day or so? An old bone, perhaps?"
"No, he doesn't play with toys very much; he likes to pounce and wrestle more than anything else."
Rafiki frowned. "Hmm. That will make it more difficult; I don't think I'll be able to find him without something."
Isha said, “How about some dead grass? I made him a soft place to sleep."
He paused, stroking the flowing white hair which grew from his chin. "Yes. Yes indeed."
She brought a small mouthful of dry grass, but he only took a few strands. She watched closely as he dropped the grass into the bowl, where it floated about in a small circle. Isha and Simba peered over his shoulder with interest as Rafiki made a short prayer, then studied the pattern of ripples in the water. “Makpelah the Circle. He lives.”
Simba sighed with relief as Isha sank to the ground. "Aiheu be praised," she whispered. "Where is he?"
Rafiki scratched his head. "I don't know." But all too soon, he would have a good idea.
"Hey, your Majesty!" called a hyena voice. "I would most HUMBLY request an audience with you."
“I know that voice,” Simba said. A distant but horrible memory came back to him. “Oh gods, no! Shenzi!”